TUMPAT: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) today handed over package 1 of the Kampung Laut heritage village redevelopment project to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC).
The handing over in the form of a replica key took place at the village by ECERDC chief executive officer Baidzawi Che Mat to MOTAC's secretary-general Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat.
Witnessing the ceremony was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economic Affairs) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, MOTAC's minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Nancy in her speech said MOTAC has lined up several strategies to boost the nation's tourism sector.
"The completion of this project is timely with the reopening of interstate travel and hopefully, it will help increase domestic tourist arrival.
"Kelantan is blessed with a variety of culture and unique heritage. It has all the ingredients to be a globally recognised heritage tourism destination. The ministry will work closely with all relevant agencies in carrying out promotions and other activities while ensuring adherence of the SOP is fully being enforced," she said.
Meanwhile, Mustapa said the upcoming construction of the Palekbang Bridge and Kota Baru Promenade would complement the Kampung Laut Redevelopment project as a heritage village in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan's aspiration to spur the tourism industry in Kelantan.
The Kampung Laut redevelopment project is one of the 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 will be an iconic heritage village and a new tourism destination in Kelantan.
Package 2 of Kampung Laut redevelopment, which is expected to be completed early next year, comprises the Laman Warisan Seni Kampung Laut, which would provide an 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 craft, in line with the 'living museum" concept. The Laman Warisan Serunding Kampung Laut provides retail spaces for nine entrepreneurs who sell local delicacies such as serunding and dodol.
The Kampung Laut Mosque, the centrepiece of the project is the oldest wooden mosque in Malaysia and the relocation of the over 300-year-old mosque from Nilam Puri to its original location would preserve the historical, cultural and architectural values, as well as create a new tourism landmark in Kelantan.