By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Nov 19: The Sarawak Heritage Council (SHC) has proposed the gazettement of Batu Ritong in Pa’ Lungan, Bario, and Tapak Pertempuran Kampung Jangkar in Lundu as historical sites.
Additionally, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the council also proposed for two geosites under the Sarawak Delta Geopark namely, Tuang Schist Semeba and Folded Schist Demak, to be gazetted as well during a meeting on July 17.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim also said that the Sarawak Museum Department has maintained and preserved 25 monuments and sites in Sarawak since January this year and that from June until October, the department has successfully preserved eight monuments and sites, which are:
- Tapak Rumah Panjang Temenggong Tandok, Saratok
- Makam Dang Isah, Tandang Sari, Pusa
- Makam Dato Godam, Pusa, Saratok
- Makam Dato Temenggong Kadir, Pusa, Saratok
- Lumbong Rentap, Pakan, Sarikei
- West Mouth Archaeological Site, Niah Caves, Miri
- Painted Caves 1 and 2, Niah Caves, Miri
- Japanese Landing Craft, Brighton Beach, Miri
“The department’s reputation as the guardian of Sarawak and Borneo heritage has encouraged the donations and repatriation of objects and antiquities from all around the world.
“A set of 27 miniature cannons were donated to the Sarawak Museum from Peter Hamer, a Dutch collector. Hamer began collecting these cannons since 1976, while serving as an engineer for Sarawak Shell Berhad in Miri.
“I led the delegation to meet the donor and received the cannons in Amsterdam, Netherlands. These cannons have a very unique and intricate design, symbolising the artistry of Bornean miniature cannons since immemorial times. The donation will enhance the department’s reputation as a globally engaged centre of history and heritage,” he said.
He added that the department also managed to negotiate the repatriation of a Kenyah-Badeng Sun Hat and returned it to the Kenyah-Badeng community at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, on Nov 4 where artefacts dated between 1895 and 1896 were returned.
In addition, the department was also able to digitise 2,379 analogue cassette collections dating from 1957 to 2011 containing important recordings such as oral traditions, and contents of seminars, symposiums, and workshops.
By doing this, Abdul Karim said, it would ensure that the knowledge within the recordings could be used for further advancements in museology and heritage preservation. — DayakDaily
