TUMPAT, KELANTAN, 9 SEPTEMBER 2022 – Kelantan’s latest tourism landmark, the Laman Warisan Kampung Laut was launched today by YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The Prime Minister was in Kelantan to chair the East Coast Economic Region Development Council meeting.
The redevelopment of Kampung Laut as a Kampung Warisan (heritage village) consists of the construction of Laman Warisan Serunding, Laman Warisan Seni and the much awaited return of the 400-year-old Masjid Kampung Laut from Nilam Puri. The project has turned Kampung Laut into a must visit destination and spurred tourism-related economic activities in the area, while preserving the arts, heritage, culture and architectural splendor of the people of Kampung Laut.
“Tourism is one of the pillars of the region’s economic recovery. Therefore, the Federal Government has stepped up efforts to revive the nation’s tourism sector and the completion of this project is a symbol of the government’s commitment to strengthen the people of Kelantan’s economy”, said YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, at the launch which took place at Laman Warisan Kampung Laut in Tumpat after the ECER Council Meeting.
YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC said the unique aspect of this redevelopment of Kampung Laut is the special attention paid towards the conservation and preservation of the oldest wooden mosque still in use in the country. He also informed that ECERDC together with the state government are working towards nominating Masjid Kampung Laut as the national heritage and its recognition as a world heritage site under UNESCO.
The launch was witnessed by ECER Council members including all four Menteri Besar of the ECER states – YAB Ustaz Dato’ Bentara Kanan Dato’ Haji Ahmad bin Yakob, Menteri Besar of Kelantan; YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Menteri Besar of Terengganu; YAB Dato’ Sri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Menteri Besar of Pahang and YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor.
Also present were YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Zuki Ali, Chief Secretary to the Government, YBrs. Dr. Chia Song Kun, Executive Chairman of QL Resources Berhad, YBhg. Datuk Seri Asri Hamidin@Hamidon Secretary-General of Treasury and YBhg. Datuk Seri Saiful Anuar bin Lebai Husen, Director General of Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department.
Upcoming projects by ECERDC include the construction of Palekbang Bridge which will complement the Kampung Laut Redevelopment and spur tourism in the area. The bridge will provide an alternative route that will connect Tumpat to Kota Bharu which will solve traffic congestion and increase local connectivity. Once completed, it will be a catalyst for the development of new areas, especially in Tumpat.
Post Council Meeting Exchange of Document Ceremony
The ECER Council members also witnessed the Exchange of Document ceremony between ECERDC and Medical Device Authority (MDA) as well as between ECERDC and Yayasan PETRONAS.
The exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ECERDC and MDA is to further enhance investment opportunities in the manufacturing of medical devices at ECERDC’s industrial parks. MDA was represented at the ceremony by its Chief Executive, En. Ahmad Shariff Hambali and ECERDC was represented by its CEO, YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi.
YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi said today’s document exchange ceremony was another milestone for ECERDC’s continuous efforts to promote ECER as a competitive investment destination. “The Memorandum of Understanding exchanged between ECERDC and MDA will strengthen the cooperation between both parties to attract new investments in the manufacturing of medical devices in the ECER region while the Cooperation Agreement between ECERDC and Yayasan PETRONAS will cement Yayasan PETRONAS’ continued support for ECER MEKAR programme,” said YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi.
The programme with Yayasan PETRONAS will benefit 600 students for the academic programme in 3 districts and 1,880 entrepreneurs for skills training and entrepreneurship development programme.
“We truly appreciate Yayasan PETRONAS’ continued support for our human capital development programmes as education, especially for students from poor families remains one of our top priorities to break the cycle of poverty. We are also grateful to Yayasan PETRONAS for supporting our skills training and entrepreneurship programmes as these programmes have helped the people to get back on their feet after the pandemic,” said YBhg. Dato’ Baidzawi.