THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) through the National Heritage Department today handed over the management of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site – Lenggong Valley – to the Perak government.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing said he hopes the site will be better managed under the leadership of the Perak menteri besar and various agencies under the state government administration.

“I will ask the National Heritage Department to discuss with the state government, which will manage and act as the ‘World Heritage Office’ for this site to make the necessary arrangements and cooperation.

“In terms of finances, the state government can apply for the necessary allocations with the federal government,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Warisan@Lenggong programme in conjunction with the anniversary of the naming of the Lenggong Valley as a Unesco World Heritage Site in Dataran Lenggong today.

During the ceremony, Tiong presented the Lenggong Valley Unesco World Heritage Site management certificate to Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad.

Tiong also announced an allocation of RM5 million for the Perak government to promote Visit Perak Year 2024.

Saarani in his speech expressed his appreciation to the Lenggong District Council for striving to ensure the world heritage site continues to be preserved.

“Well done and congratulations to the National Heritage Department, Tourism Perak Management Bhd and all parties who never tire of organising heritage and cultural programmes at the grassroots level,” he said.

Saarani said as menteri besar and Kota Tampan assemblyman, he greatly appreciates the continuous efforts of various parties in preserving Lenggong Valley.

He said with the slogan “Promising Perak”, Visit Perak Year 2024 will focus on heritage, gastronomy and eco-tourism to stimulate the state’s economy, and will utilise returns to restore the state’s ecology and protect its environment.

“The state government, through Tourism Perak, has carried out various promotion activities both locally and abroad to enliven and make Visit Perak Year 2024 a success.

“The variety of tourism products available in Perak – including the Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site, which offers archeology tourism products, as well as the Lenggong Geopark including the Batu Ring geosite, Telaga Biru and Debu Tasik Toba – will be highlighted to promote and attract more domestic and international tourists to the state,” he said. – Bernama, July 30, 2023.