PEKAN, May 28 — Pekan will be officially recognised as the first cultural heritage district in Pahang, as part of its branding exercise to attract more tourists.

Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin said the recognition was timely as Pekan has been dubbed as the state’s royal town that marked the beginning of Pahang administration and civilisation.

“This branding will attract more people to see what is offered here. Pekan is one of the districts which recorded the highest number of tourists last year with 36,356 people.

“This district has so much commercial value to tourists such as the Abu Bakar Palace, Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, Pahang Weaving Centre and the Pulau Keladi Cultural Village Complex.”

Mohd Sharkar was speaking at a press conference after closing the East Coast Series Cycling and England Classic Bicycle Fair participated by 150 classic bicycle owners in the country, here today.

Mohd Sharkar had asked the Pekan District and Land Office to apply for the declaration from the state government as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Mohd Sharkar, who is also Pahang Umno liaison deputy chairman said 60 party members would be sent to help Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign in Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election in Selangor.

“Pahang Umno has been tasked with looking after five areas in Sungai Besar. We will meet the voters at each level so they are not influenced by Opposition propaganda,” he said, adding that BN would work hard to retain the seat.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi named Sungai Panjang State Asemblyman, Budiman Ahmad Zohdi, 44, as the BN candidate in the by-election on June 18.

The Sungai Besar seat fell vacant following the death of its MP, Datuk Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5. — Bernama