Sarawak Day hosting in Bintulu ‘beyond memorable’, says heritage figure

KUCHING (July 22): The hosting of Sarawak Day celebration in Bintulu this year is fascinating and memorable, in that it coincides with sustainable development goal achievements under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) in terms of economy, unity, and green renewable initiatives by Sarawak government.

In pointing this out, Dato Lim Kian Hock says it is also for Sarawakians to take pride in what make their homeland special.

“It is also the time to reflect on the aspiration of Sarawak Day as envisaged by former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and more importantly, Sarawak’s historical heritage and Bintulu in general,” said the former advisor to Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and the STF Heritage Development Committee chairman, which he was from 1999 to 2020.

Bintulu, according to Lim, has a history dating back to 40,000 years, based on the relics found in the famous Niah Cave, which also presented indicators of early trading with China.

The division was once under the Brunei Sultanate and was later ceded to Rajah James Brooke rule in 1844.

“It was in Bintulu that our DUN (Sarawak Legislative Assembly), the oldest in Malaysia, had its inaugural meeting on Sept 8, 1867,” said Lim.

It was then-known as the General Council, consisting of 21 members including 16 local community leaders, headed by Rajah Charles Brooke, said Lim.

The second meeting was held in Sibu, and then at the Astana Negeri in Kuching.

In 1903, the council was renamed Council Negeri, which remained until 1970.

In 1941 on the celebration of the Sarawak Centenary of Brooke Rule, a written constitution known as ‘Sarawak Constitution of 1941’ was enacted.

In 1963, with the approaching of Malaysia formation, the constitution was amended and the council members was increased to 42 members with a supreme council (Cabinet) led by a Chief Minister.

The membership was increased to 56 in 1989, 62 in 1996, 71 in 2006, and 82 in 2021.

“In 1976, the Council Negeri was renamed Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). This distinguished legislative history is commemorated by our Bintulu Clock Tower,” said Lim.

Following the discovery in 1957 of large reserve of offshore material gas in Bintulu, the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), the first planning and development authority incorporating the council authority, was established under the Bintulu Development Authority Ordinance 1976, on Jan 6, 1976. It was led by then-general manager Datuk Jamaluddin Abu Bakar.

The BDA Strategic Plan 2024-2030 was mooted to reposition Bintulu into a smart and liveable city incorporating technological advancements with its potential sustainable growth in hydropower and biomass energy for its forefront economic development.

In 2015, BDA made history for having first woman general manager, Datuk Rodziah Morshidi, Lim said.

“Amidst this backdrop, as we approached the new millennium, 2000, the then-chief minister the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launched the ‘Sarawak Millennium’ time capsule in Bintulu, incorporating Sarawak’s heritage and his vision in a stainless-steel case meant for the millennium generations.

“In celebrating this year’s Sarawak Day, it is for us to reflect our historical heritage and our legacy of diverse communities coming together as one in harmony – to be enjoyed and to lead us in the new world order.”

On the time capsule, Lim pointed out that inside the stainless steel case were, among many things, were written messages and papers put in by Taib.

“It’s supposed to be sealed in Bintulu, but because of security matters, it is now safely kept outside the division,” he said, admitting that he did not know the exact location.

On the Sarawak Library Facebook post dated Jan 18, 2022, the time capsule was hailed as a ‘historic cache of goods and information, which the people think are typical of the time they are living in’.

“It is buried so that it can be discovered by the people in the future. This is a time capsule that was ‘buried’ by Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, also the former Sarawak Chief Minister, during the opening of the Sarawak State Library on Jan 1, 2000.

“This time capsule will be reopened in January 2050.”

“Sounds interesting right? Wonder what is inside this time capsule? So, what might we wish future generations to know about this year?” the Facebook post stated.

Upon being enquired, an officer of the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in Petra Jaya, Kuching, has confirmed that the time capsule is placed at their premises.

Lim said he was seconded to BDA to assist its then-general manager Jamaluddin in legal and administrative aspects and also the local council matters.

He has also been posted to the DUN twice – from 1980 to 1992, and from 1996 to 1999.

“Then I helped Tun Taib with research on his legislative papers for his preparation of the ‘Millennium Time Capsule’in 1999,” said Lim, who retired from the civil service in 1999.