KUCHING, March 29: Sarawak Museum Department will be holding the handing-over of upgrading and conservation project of Fort Brooke in Nanga Meluan, Sarikei, on April 3.
It will be officiated at by Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin near the fort.
In a statement, Sarawak Museum Department said Fort Brooke was built in 1935, and its architectural design and size are very similar to others in the state, like Fort Lily in Betong, Fort Silvia in Kapit and Fort Emma in Kanowit.
The fort was built for the police and Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke’s officials to ward off attacks by rebels led by Asun and his followers from Sungai Kanowit.
It was later used as a sub-district office and as a police station. From 1954 to 1981, the fort was used as an office for the district council and education department, complete with several classrooms.
Fort Brooke is now under the care of the Sarawak Museum Department, to be conserved and upgraded under the ‘Conservation and Upgrading of Historical Fort’ programme under the 11th Malaysian Plan.
Sarawak Museum Department will be responsible for a `miring’ ritual ceremony before the handover event is carried out in order to respect the sentiments of the local community.
It will be performed by the Iban community from the area. — DayakDaily
