Sarawak To Estalish New Museum To Showcase State's Administrative History

KU­CHING, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Sarawak will establish a new museum dedicated to showcasing the state’s administrative history, from the Brunei Sultanate era to its integration into Malaysia, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the museum would be developed by renovating a building in Kuching, which will be announced later, and would focus specifically on the evolution of governance in Sarawak.

"The emphasis is on the governance of Sarawak, beginning with the Brunei Sultanate, followed by the Brooke administration for 100 years, the colonial era from 1946 to 1963, and finally Sarawak’s integration into Malaysia.

"This museum will focus solely on the history of Sarawak’s administration throughout those periods," he told reporters after closing the “A Night in the Museum” programme at the Borneo Cultural Museum (BCM) here today.

According to Abang Johari, this initiative complements the network of museums already established in the state, including the Borneo Cultural Museum, which showcases Sarawak’s cultural heritage, and the Natural History Museum, which highlights environmental aspects, evolutionary theory, and the state’s rich biodiversity.

He said the new museum would also be linked to the upcoming state archives, which will store key historical, economic, cultural, and developmental records.

"We have also renovated several old forts and turned them into special museums, for example, the fort in Sri Aman highlights the communist threat and reconciliation efforts, while the one in Kapit displays the peace agreement between the Iban and Orang Ulu communities. This forms part of the fort trail that we are developing," he said.

When asked about the timeline, Abang Johari said the project is expected to be completed within five years, as it will require extensive research and academic collaboration to ensure historical accuracy.

"A museum must be factually accurate. We will need to carry out significant research, including working with Brunei, to ensure a comprehensive historical narrative. This process will take time," he added.

-- BERNAMA