Serunding Kampung Laut kini bertapak di Laman Warisan Serunding Kampung Laut
TUMPAT, KELANTAN, 31 OCTOBER 2021: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) today handed over Laman Warisan Serunding Kampung Laut, which is Package 1 of the Kampung Laut Redevelopment as a Heritage Tourism Village, to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
The key to symbolise the handing over was presented by YBrs. En. Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC to YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr. Noor Zari bin Hamat, Chief Secretary of MOTAC and was witnessed by YAB Ustaz Dato’ Bentara Kanan Haji Ahmad bin Yakob, the Menteri Besar Kelantan, YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy).
The Kampung Laut redevelopment project is one of Federal Government’s initiatives through ECERDC to develop Kelantan’s tourism sector and create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. When fully completed in 2022, Kampung Laut, located in the district of Tumpat, will be an iconic heritage village and a ‘must visit’ tourism destination in Kelantan.
The Laman Warisan Serunding Kampung Laut will provide retail spaces for nine (9) homebred Kampung Laut entrepreneurs selling local delicacies such as serunding, dodol and gelembung buaya.
Package 2 of Kampung Laut redevelopment which is expected to be completed early next year will comprise the Laman Warisan Seni Kampung Laut which will provide opportunity for local entrepreneurs to display and sell their arts and crafts, and the relocation of Masjid Kampung Laut. There will also be workshops where visitors can watch craftsmen practice their crafts, in line with the ‘living museum” concept.
Masjid Kampung Laut, the centrepiece of the project is the oldest wooden mosque in Malaysia still in use. The relocation of the over 300-year-old mosque from Nilam Puri to its original location will preserve the historical, cultural and architectural values, as well as create a new tourism landmark in Kelantan.
“Seperti sireh pulang ke gagang. The return of the mosque to its original site and the completion of Laman Warisan Serunding and Laman Warisan seni ushers a new beginning and a boost to the tourism development efforts in Kelantan. This entire project as a heritage village augurs well
with the aspiration of the State Government and its people,” said YAB Menteri Besar Kelantan in his speech at the event.
In line with the tagline of “Coming Back Stronger”, MOTAC Minister YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri said the Ministry has drafted various strategies to step up efforts in reviving the nation’s tourism sector. The completion of this project is timely with the reopening of the interstate travel and the expected increase in domestic tourist arrival.
“Kelantan is blessed with a rich culture and unique heritage. It has all the ingredients to be a globally recognised heritage tourism destination and MOTAC will work closely with all relevant parties to carry out promotional activities whilst ensuring adherence to the SOP,” she said in her speech at the event.
Meanwhile, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) said the upcoming construction of the Palekbang Bridge and Kota Bharu Promenade will complement the Kampung Laut Redevelopment as Kampung Warisan, in line with RMKe-12’s aspiration to spur tourism industry in Kelantan.
The Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, En. Baidzawi Che Mat, while expressing his confidence that MOTAC will take this project to the next level ended his speech aptly by quoting “Serunding now has an address and it is Laman Warisan Serunding Kampung Laut”.