PETALING JAYA: The famed archaeological complex of the Niah Caves National Park of Sarawak has been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, says the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac).

In a statement yesterday evening, it said the last time Malaysia received this honour was in 2012.

“The recognition was announced at 7pm during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting at Delhi, India, following deliberations by the 21-member World Heritage Committee that is chaired by India,” read the statement.

Efforts to nominate the archaeological complex of the Niah Caves began in 2019, where submissions were made to Unesco in January 2021.

In January 2023, the nomination documents were sent to the Unesco Secretariat in Paris.

“Efforts to land on the World Heritage List is something that is coveted all over the world as it is the highest international recognition that can be obtained by heritage sites.

“Other than promoting national heritage sites at the global stage, this recognition demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment in protecting historical sites.

“This also increases Malaysia’s appeal as a tourist destination and impacts the local tourism industry in a positive manner, other than providing spillover benefits to other sectors,” said Motac.

It added that to date, 1,199 sites from all over the world have been included as world heritage sites under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

“With this latest recognition, Malaysia has five Unesco World Heritage Sites, including Sarawak’s Mount Mulu National Park (2000), Sabah’s Kinabalu Park (2000), Melaka and George Town Historical Cities (2008) and Perak’s Lenggong Valley Archaeological Site (2012),” said Motac.