By Shikin Louis
KUCHING: Sarawak’s place in scientific history through naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, alongside its world-renowned natural heritage in Mulu and Niah, deserves to be recognised and protected for future generations, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s heritage extended beyond its cultural traditions to include sites linked to scientific discoveries that connected the State to the wider world.
“Charles Darwin, known for his theory of the origin of species, worked alongside Alfred Russel Wallace, who studied butterflies in Sarawak and exchanged ideas with Darwin.
“This is what we call a scientific monument, and the site is in Sarawak, part of the archipelago.
“I think it is appropriate for International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to come here to substantiate the work of Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin,” he said when speaking at the gala dinner of the 22nd ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2026 at Riverside Majestic Hotel here tonight.
He said Sarawak was home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park — while Kuching had also been recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
“These are all the monuments that we have to leave behind, and we hope that ICOMOS can extend to the new generation the importance and significance of these monuments and site, including the scientific discovery in this particular region,” he added.
Abang Johari also highlighted Sarawak’s cultural diversity, saying the State’s different ethnic groups and religious communities had come together to form a shared identity while maintaining their respective backgrounds.
“We have various ethnic groups with their ethnic cultural background, but they merge together and produce what we call Sarawak culture, Sarawak vision,” he said.
He further welcomed delegates from 109 countries to Sarawak, noting that the assembly was being held in Southeast Asia for the first time.
He thanked ICOMOS for choosing Kuching as the venue and expressed hope that delegates would continue to engage with Sarawak and its heritage beyond the gathering.
Also present were Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan; ICOMOS president Dr. Teresa Patricio; Petra National Trust president, ICOMOS International Arab States Regional Group vice-president and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage Princess Dana Firas of Jordan; Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO Monsignor Roberto Campisi; and ICOMOS Malaysia president Faisal Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily
