By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 13: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) today unanimously passed the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to strengthen and modernise the governance, functions and administration of the Sarawak State Library, including empowering it to establish, manage and maintain memorial archives to preserve the State’s history and heritage.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who tabled the Bill, said the amendments were necessary to update the legislative framework governing the State Library in line with its evolving responsibilities and Sarawak’s rapid development.
He said a modern library was no longer merely a place for collecting, storing and providing access to books, but also served as a repository of knowledge, custodian of public records and archives, and an institution responsible for preserving the State’s collective memory for future generations.
“The Amendment Bill is intended not merely to update the provisions of the Principal Ordinance, but to provide the State Library with a clearer governance framework and the statutory foundation necessary to upkeep the State Library with its evolving responsibilities effectively,” he informed the august House today.
The Sarawak State Library Ordinance 1999, which came into force on Oct 1, 1999, provides for the establishment of the State Library, its functions and duties, the constitution and responsibilities of its Board, and matters relating to its administration and management.
The Ordinance was last amended in December 2019.
Among the key changes introduced under the Amendment Bill is the clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the Minister in charge of the State Library.
A new definition of “Minister” will be introduced under Section 2 of the principal Ordinance, while a new Section 10 will empower the Minister to issue directions to the Board concerning the exercise and discharge of its powers, functions and duties.
The Minister will also be responsible for several administrative matters, including appointing temporary Board members and a temporary chairman, accepting the resignations of Board members, assigning additional functions to the Board, and approving the appointment of the chief executive officer and the delegation of certain powers to the office.
Another significant amendment is the express provision empowering the State Library to establish, manage and maintain memorial archives.
Sagah said such archives could commemorate significant individuals, events and other aspects of Sarawak’s history and culture, including prominent personalities and former leaders who had contributed to the Sarawak’s development.
He said historical materials, including documents, records, personal belongings and other items associated with Sarawak’s past, needed to be properly preserved as time passed.
The establishment of memorial archives would allow future generations to better understand the people, decisions, events and experiences that had shaped Sarawak.
The Bill also seeks to streamline the State Library’s governance structure by reallocating certain powers previously held by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) to the State Cabinet and the responsible Minister.
Under the proposed amendments, the State Cabinet will be responsible for appointing the chairman, deputy chairman and other members of the State Library Board, determining their appointment conditions and revoking appointments where necessary.
It will also be empowered to direct the vesting of government property in the State Library and amend the Schedules to the principal Ordinance.
Sagah said the clearer division of responsibilities among the State government, Minister and Board would improve decision-making, strengthen accountability and support more efficient administration.
The amendments will also clarify arrangements for vesting government property provided for the State Library’s use directly in the institution, rather than in SMA as provided for under the existing Section 6.
In addition, a new Section 29A will empower the State Cabinet, through notification in the Gazette, to amend the Schedules to the principal Ordinance.
Sagah said the provision would offer a more practical and efficient mechanism for keeping the Schedules up to date, as amendments currently required changes to the principal Ordinance itself.
He said the amendments were intended to ensure that the State Library remained equipped to fulfil its expanding responsibilities while maintaining an appropriate legislative and governance framework.
“Ultimately, this Amendment Bill is about ensuring that the State Library is properly equipped not only to preserve our records and knowledge, but also to preserve the history and memory of Sarawak for generations to come,” he said. — DayakDaily
