A Must- Visit for Locals and Sarawakians Abroad
When you think of Sarawak News, Malaysia investment, or big developments under PCDS 2030, your mind probably jumps to high-tech parks, hydrogen-powered trains, and digital stuff. But let’s slow down a bit. Because deep down, we all know the real magic of Sarawak isn’t just in the infrastructure—it’s in the people.
Especially our Indigenous communities—the heart, soul, and heartbeat of Bumi Kenyalang.
Whether you are reading this from Kuching, KL, or halfway across the world in Melbourne or Vancouver, this is your gentle reminder: Your culture is calling.
The Hospitality Hits Different Here
If you’ve ever stayed at a longhouse, you know what I’m talking about. The moment you step in, you’re not treated like a tourist—you’re family. Aunties will ask if you’ve eaten. Uncles will show you how to use a blowpipe. The kids might pull you into a dance or teach you how to weave mats from scratch. There is no formal “welcome ceremony.” Just warmth, laughter, and lots of food. And that’s what makes it so special.
Whether you’re from Peninsular Malaysia or halfway around the globe, once you’ve
experienced Sarawakian hospitality—you’ll never forget it.
Living with Nature, the Old-School (and Cool) Way
You know how everyone’s suddenly into sustainability, slow living, and reconnecting with
nature? Our Indigenous communities have been doing that forever.
The Penan live in harmony with the rainforest, practicing nomadic lifestyles that leave no
harm behind. The Kelabit grow rice in the highlands with rituals that honour both the land and their ancestors. The Melanau have centuries-old fishing traditions tied to the rhythms of the sea. It’s not just survival. It’s wisdom passed down, still alive today. And it's beautiful to witness.
Culture Is Not a Museum – It’s Alive
Too often we think of culture as something you visit, like a gallery. But in Sarawak,
culture lives. It moves. It breathes. It dances.
Come during Gawai Dayak or Kaul Festival and you’ll see it in full swing—drums beating,
feet stomping, people laughing, toasts being raised. Or spend time with a tattoo artist in
Kanowit or a bead-maker in Baram and watch heritage being created, not just preserved.
It’s the kind of experience you can’t capture in a brochure or a vlog. You’ve got to be there.
For Locals and Our People Abroad: This Is Your Legacy
If you’re a local, this is your reminder to appreciate what’s all around you. Don’t wait for a
foreign tourist to tell you how cool your own backyard is.
If you are living abroad—maybe it’s been a while since your last trip back, maybe you’ve
never even visited your ancestral village—it’s not too late. Book that trip. Bring your kids.
Let them feel the warmth of a Sarawak longhouse and see where they come from.
Because here’s the thing: Sarawak is moving forward fast. Digital economy, hydrogen-
powered trains, green energy—you name itInvestment and Business…. But as we look to the future, our Indigenous cultures remind us where we came from.
And that’s something worth coming home for.
What You Can Do (Starting Today)
Visit a longhouse. Not the “cultural showcase” kind—find a real one. Spend a night.
Attend local festivals—Gawai, Kaul, Pesta Babulang.
Buy handmade crafts directly from the artisans.
Teach your kids a few words in Iban, Bidayuh, or Melanau.
Share a story about your hometown on social media. Let the world see what we have.
Sarawak isn’t just investing in buildings and highways. We’re investing in our identity. And you? You’re part of that story too.
So come back. Not just to eat, not just to visit—but to feel.
