By Emily Ruran
KUCHING, Jan 24: Sarawak welcomes proposals seeking the return of historical artefacts from overseas museums, but will consider repatriation only when the items are deemed highly significant.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said many artefacts and cultural treasures linked to Sarawak were currently scattered across the United Kingdom and other countries, including Germany and the United States.
While supportive of repatriation in principle, he stressed that not every artefact needs to return back to Sarawak, especially when similar pieces are already preserved in the State’s own museums.
“It is a good suggestion,” he said when asked whether Sarawak would seek the return of artefacts from overseas museums.
“It is not necessary to bring everything back unless there is a strong need (for it). Many of the artefacts displayed in museums around the world, particularly at the British Museum, have already undergone research on their origins and where they came from.
“Only if an artefact is considered very significant to Sarawak will we apply to have it returned. For many of these items, similar artefacts can also be seen in our museums here,” he explained.
Abdul Karim also highlighted the potential benefits of artefacts being displayed internationally.
“When people visit museums such as the British Museum and others overseas, they gain greater awareness of Sarawak and Borneo,” he said.
He further emphasised that what mattered more was the need to deepen interest in heritage research within Sarawak itself, rather than focusing solely on bringing artefacts home.
He added that the State needed to cultivate more local researchers and scientists willing to undertake in-depth studies on civilisation and cultural heritage.
“What is more important is that we develop our own researchers and scientists who are willing to study our heritage in depth.
“With greater exposure, more Sarawakians will understand the importance of studying and valuing our own heritage,” he said.
He made these remarks after attending the ‘Special Talk: Interpreting Borneo in Britain and Sarawak’ held at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) here today. An audio recording of his speech was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abdul Karim also highlighted the work of British Museum researcher, Borneo Research Fellow and Henry Ginsburg Curator for Island Southeast Asia, Dr Jennifer Morris, who has studied Sarawak artefacts dispersed across museums in the United Kingdom and beyond.
He added that Dr Jennifer conducted in-depth field research in Sarawak, including visits to locations where the artefacts were originally collected.
“This research helps us understand the meaning of these artefacts and the history of the communities from which they were taken.” – DayakDaily
