The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) together with the National Art Gallery launched the introductory program for community-based tourism to anchor underwater sculptures in Pulau Pasir, Langkawi.

The event which was held at the Pengkalan Kubang Badak saw the attendance of many including, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Datuk Saraya Arbi; Langkawi Development Authority Chief Executive Officer, Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib; Director-General, National Art Gallery, Amerrudin Ahmad; nine sculpture artists, members of the media as well as the general public.

Commenting on this impactful initiative, Nasaruddin said that the event was in line with LADA’s direction of supporting more green and community tourism activities.

“There has been a global rise of more environmentally conscious travellers, with most of them looking for ways to reconnect with nature and seek new sustainable experiences. Bearing this in mind, we felt it was an ideal time to collaborate with the National Art Gallery to bring this project to life,” he said.

The program had first begun in January 2022 and saw the participation of nine experienced artists producing unique and aesthetically pleasing sculptures, to encourage marine life to take hold and flourish. The statues that will be placed anywhere from two to six meters to being partially submerged in the water, will act as a stable base for reefs to form.

To further add to this already enchanting and magical island, all artists were encouraged to use the myths and legends of the Langkawi Island as their main point of reference when producing their artwork.

While this story may already have a beautiful tale of its own to tell, both LADA and the National Art Gallery felt that it was only right to include the local community consisting of fishermen, scuba diving operators and local artisans to create this attractive yet distinctive underwater masterpiece.

In 2007, Langkawi was awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status, the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia and it is also one of only 177 worldwide to date.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE