KUALA LUMPUR – The Niah Caves complex in Sarawak has been officially listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) said.
It said the recognition was given yesterday during the 46th World Heritage Committee Session held from July 21 to 31 in New Delhi, India.
21 member states of the World Heritage Committee, chaired by a representative from India made the decision to grant the Niah Caves Unesco status, which Malaysia has sought for the site since 2019.
“The nomination process for the Niah Caves Archaeological Site began in 2019. The Tentative List document was submitted to Unesco on January 22 2021, and on January 31 2023, the formal nomination documents were handed over to the Unesco Secretariat in Paris, France,” Motac’s statement said.
In April, the Niah Caves qualified for the semi-finals for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
With this recognition, Malaysia now has five Unesco World Heritage Sites, including Gunung Mulu National Park and Kinabalu Park (2000), the Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka, Melaka and George Town (2008), and the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (2012).
Motac said being listed on the Unesco World Heritage List is highly sought after by nations worldwide as it represents the highest level of global recognition for heritage sites.
“In addition to promoting and showcasing our national heritage sites on a global scale, this recognition underscores Malaysia’s commitment to protecting local heritage sites.
“Indirectly, this accolade will also enhance Malaysia’s visibility on the world stage, making it a preferred destination for tourists,” the ministry said.
To date, a total of 1,199 sites worldwide have been recognised as World Heritage Sites under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Malaysia is currently working to nominate several more areas for Unesco World Heritage status in the future, including the Frim Forest Park in Selangor, Royal Belum State Park, and the National Leprosy Control Centre. – July 28, 2024