Heritage listing for 167yo St Paul’s Church in Banting aims to preserve history, not ownership

3 hours ago 6

ADVERTISE HERE

By DayakDaily Team

LINGGA, April 14: The 167-year-old St Paul’s Church in Banting is proposed to be gazetted as a heritage site to safeguard its historical significance, not to transfer ownership, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts has clarified.

In a TVS news, Heritage and Creative Industry Division head Dr Elena Chai said listing the site under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019 does not involve any change in ownership.

Instead, it enables the State government to support conservation efforts and strengthen protection for historically significant buildings.

“Many people assume that once a building is gazetted, it becomes the property of the Sarawak government. That is not the case. Ownership remains with the original owners, while the government’s role is to safeguard and assist in preserving the structure,” she said during a visit to the church today.

The visit forms part of the Sarawak government’s ongoing efforts to identify and assess sites of historical and cultural importance, in line with the enforcement of the ordinance, which also streamlines the role of the Sarawak Museums Department director in managing heritage-related responsibilities.

Chai noted that buildings over 100 years old and still in use, whether publicly or privately owned, are eligible for consideration as Class 2 heritage under the ordinance.

St Paul’s Church in Banting, which continues to serve as a place of worship for the local community, meets these criteria given its long history and continued use.

She added that the gazettement process also allows the state to allocate funding for conservation and repair works based on assessment reports conducted by the museum in 2024.

“Once a building is proposed for gazettement, the government may consider funding necessary conservation works. This includes structural repairs identified through assessments, provided the original character of the building is preserved.

“However, any major structural alterations still require approval as they may affect the building’s heritage value,” she said.

Chai stressed that the initiative reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to preserving historical landmarks and preventing the loss of valuable heritage assets.

At 167 years old, St Paul’s Church in Banting, Lingga is among the oldest churches in Sarawak. Built in 1859, it remains an important symbol of the early spread of Christianity in the State’s interior. — DayakDaily

Read Entire Article