By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 30: Several Second World War memorial sites including the Punjabi Barrack in Kuching and the Grave of Lighthouse Keeper Awang Metali in Miri are in the process of being gazetted as heritage sites in Sarawak where they will be promoted together with the Air Raid Shelter in Kuching and Miri as Borneo War Memorial Trail, under the Sabah-Sarawak-Labuan Joint Tourism Cooperation and Collaboration.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah informed that this was part of the important efforts on the conservation of heritage sites in Sarawak.
Besides the Punjabi Barrack, other war memorial sites identified include the ammunition bunker and bomb bunker located in Batu Lintang Teacher’s Training College in Kuching.
“In Miri, the remnants of the first Japanese landing craft and the old lighthouse at Brighton Beach is in the process of being recognised and gazetted as heritage sites in Sarawak,” he told the august House when delivering his winding-up speech today.
Abdul Karim emphasised that the identification and documentation of important tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Sarawak is ongoing.
They include the Air Raid Shelter of Canada Hill, Old Waterfall Dam, the Old Well at Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple and Makam Datuk Permaisuri in Miri; Fort Ranee in Saratok; Fort Tebakang in Serian; St Paul’s church in Lingga; Pulau Dato Kong in Sebauh; Sacred Heart Church of Sungai Bawan in Kanowit; Batu Narit in Pa Bengar, Long Banga, Pa Lungan of Bario; Batu Narit in Long Semadoh; Batu Angan in Ba’Kelalan and the Beting Maru battlefield in Saribas.
“Awareness programme on the importance of heritage protection was held among the local communities, local NGOs in Miri and Bintulu.
“In Tatau, for the safeguarding of tangible heritage such as the klirieng (burial pole) and the documentation of oral history, my Ministry works closely with Sarawak Museum Department, Council for Native Customs and Traditions, Sarawak Forestry Department, Tatau District Office, Bintulu Development Authority, Land & Survey Department, community leaders and members,” he added. — DayakDaily
