By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 13: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has proposed Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Pustaka) to establish clear priorities and technical standards for digital preservation, including data security, backup arrangements and disaster recovery measures.
Debating the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill 2026 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex today, she said digitising historical records required more than scanning documents and uploading them online.
“The records must be properly catalogued, accurately described, securely backed up and preserved in formats that remain accessible over time,” she said.
Yong called for a practical plan to digitise priority historical documents, photographs, publications and other archival materials, with clear targets and timelines to measure progress.
She said digital collections should also be made accessible through a user-friendly online platform, allowing students, researchers and members of the public, including those in rural areas, to explore Sarawak’s history more conveniently.
While acknowledging existing initiatives such as the Sarawakiana digital collection and the Records and Archives Reference Service (RECARS), she said public access should go beyond the availability of online catalogues.
She questioned whether members of the public could readily access and study the contents of historical records, and how convenient the process was for those unable to visit the library in person.
Yong said that copyright, personal information, ownership rights and legitimate confidentiality restrictions must be respected, but urged the government to remove unnecessary barriers to public access wherever the law permits.
She also called for adequate funding, technical expertise and long-term planning to ensure digital preservation efforts remain sustainable.
Yong said the proposed amendments should ultimately lead to meaningful improvements in preserving Sarawak’s historical heritage and making it accessible to future generations. – DayakDaily
