By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 20: The historical building, known as Darul Kurnia or Bangunan Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, located within the compound of Chung Hua Middle School No. 4, will be preserved as a heritage site and transformed into a museum following its return to the Sarawak government.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the significance of the building’s history, particularly its role during the anti-cession movement.
He expressed gratitude that the building has now been handed back to the state government.
“Alhamdulillah, the Darul Kurnia building has been handed back to the Sarawak government.
“Once the construction of the new Chung Hua Middle School No. 4 in Stutong is completed, the historical building will be returned to the Malay community,” he said during the launch of the book Adat Resam Masyarakat Melayu Sarawak Berteraskan Syariah Islam by the late Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman, held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here today.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Abang Johari clarified that the new school in Stutong is being built to address space constraints at its current site, which limit further development and extracurricular activities.
“That is why I have proposed the exchange – we’ll provide land for the new school, and once the school is relocated, the government will take over the existing site,” he explained.
He further confirmed that the Darul Kurnia building, which has been gazetted as a heritage site, will be preserved and repurposed into a museum to showcase its historical and cultural significance.
On Feb 25, 2024, the Sarawak government allotted eight acres of land and funds totaling RM20 million to the school to facilitate its relocation and the construction of a new campus in Stutong.
The Darul Kurnia building, located on Jalan Haji Taha in Kuching, was built in the 1930s by Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, a prominent leader of the Anti-Cession Movement opposing British colonisation.
Following his passing in 1946, the building was sold to a Chinese businessman named Ong Kwan Hin. In 1972, the Darul Kurnia building was handed over to the Sarawak Chinese Community Trust Board. – DayakDaily
