By Emily Ruran
KUCHING, Jan 24: Sarawak is positioning itself as an equal partner in international heritage research, focusing on cross-border collaboration, community engagement and the responsible interpretation of Borneo’s cultural collections.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said such initiatives reflected Sarawak’s readiness to engage meaningfully with international institutions while safeguarding its cultural heritage.
He said research involving Borneo collections should go beyond academic study, with emphasis placed on cross-border collaboration and shared responsibility in managing heritage materials.
“It is more than a presentation of research findings. It is a platform for reflection on how we can work together across institutions and borders, how we engage with communities, and how we responsibly steward cultural heritage for the future,” he said.
Abdul Karim said this during the ‘Special Talk: Interpreting Borneo in Britain and Sarawak’ held at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) here today.
The talk involved researchers and museum professionals from Sarawak and the United Kingdom (UK).
Abdul Karim said research and collections teams from Sarawak and the British Museum had undertaken extensive work to share information on the Charles Hose collections stored both in Kuching and in the UK.
He added that such efforts were important in reconstructing the historical and cultural contexts in which the collections were formed and preserved.
“I am particularly pleased to note that this project has not been confined to academic research alone. The community engagement activities conducted in the Baram region last year demonstrate a strong commitment to reconnecting museum collections with source communities.
“This approach aligns closely with Sarawak’s values. Heritage research must not be extractive in nature; it must be reciprocal, inclusive and grounded in respect for local knowledge and lived experience,” he said.
Abdul Karim also said the digitisation of the British Museum’s Charles Hose photographic collection had improved access to heritage materials.
He said making the collection available online had created a valuable public resource for future research into Sarawak’s history and cultural landscapes.
He stressed that heritage research held strong potential to inspire innovation, education and meaningful opportunities for Sarawak’s younger generation.
“Well-researched and responsibly interpreted heritage enhances Sarawak’s global profile, attracts cultural tourism, and strengthens our sense of identity as a diverse and dynamic society.
“I strongly believe that close partnerships between museums, researchers and communities are essential to ensure our cultural narratives are preserved and communicated with accuracy, sensitivity and depth,” he added. – DayakDaily
