New Terengganu Cultural Village Showcases State's Malay Heritage, Culture

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 3 -- Istana Tengku Long and Istana Tengku Nik, which are more than 100 years old, are among Terengganu's Malay heritage that awaits visitors at the Cultural Village, Terengganu State Museum, here.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the Terengganu Cultural Village, with the concept of a living museum, was an initiative of the state government to create a one-stop centre that brought together various cultural arts and heritage from all over the state.

"Against the background of this olden-day Malay community atmosphere, this cultural village is the best opportunity for tourists to come in droves to experience a historic getaway.

"This (Terengganu Cultural Village) is also the best platform for young people to get to know some of the traditions of their ancestors because apart from being able to feel the diversity of the community in Terengganu, there are also traditional games and instruments that have never been seen by today's generation," he said after officiating at the launch of the Terengganu Cultural Village, here, today.

Ahmad Samsuri said it would also contribute to the economic growth of the locals through tourism activities related to Terengganu’s cultural arts.

In addition to displaying eight key elements of Terengganu Malay history - Rumah Berserambi or Istana Tengku Nik; Rumah Limas Belanda; Rumah Bujang Berpeleh; Rumah Bujang Berserambi Selasar; Rumah Limas Bungkus or Istana Tengku Long; Galeri Pelayaran; Rumah Nelayan and Laman Warisan - the Cultural Village also houses two large boats with historical relics.

Each of these elements has an identity that is synonymous with each district in Terengganu and is managed by the respective district offices which are referred to as "adoptive fathers".

Apart from the exhibition of the state's traditional houses, visitors to the cultural village can also witness various demonstrations and art activities such as making of Terengganu laksa, using traditional utensils such as the 'kebok', and the sport of sepak takraw, using a ball made of chicken feathers.

Entry for visitors to this latest tourism attraction here is free of charge from today until this Sunday, after which the fee will be RM15 for adults and RM10 for children. For non-Malaysians, the fee is RM30 (adults), RM20 (children) and RM10 (senior citizens and the disabled).

Meanwhile, Terengganu Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee chairman, Ariffin Deraman said 100,000 visitors were expected to visit the Terengganu Cultural Village in a month, starting today.

“We are confident of achieving this target as the number of tourists to the Islamic Civilisation Park, located next to the Terengganu Cultural Village, reached 94,000 just for last month.

"The diversity of this cultural heritage can further boost the tourism industry in Terengganu. However, visitors still need to comply with the standard operating procedure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 here," he added.

-- BERNAMA