Siniawan’s 100-year-old police station may become Sarawak Police Museum

KUCHING (Nov 28): The historic Siniawan Police Station, which is nearly 100 years old, is being evaluated for development into the Sarawak Police Museum, said Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

The State Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said that his ministry will study the best methods to conserve the building and explore its potential as a new tourism attraction.

“The ministry, through the Sarawak Museum Department, is committed to identifying old buildings in Sarawak that possess historical value to be gazetted under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019, including the Old Siniawan Police Station,” he said.

“Any proposal to gazette a building such as the Siniawan Police Station under this Ordinance requires a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process involving various stakeholders.”

He explained this during a question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

According to the Ordinance, buildings constructed before 1940 that carry significant historical value are prime candidates for gazetting.

Regarding broader efforts to promote Siniawan town as a key tourism destination, Snowdan confirmed the ministry’s ongoing support for local events.

This includes featuring the popular Siniawan Country Music Festival in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar and providing grants for its organisation.

“The Ministry, together with Tourism Malaysia (TM), has also developed tourism packages based on the Sarawak Delta Geopark (SDGp), which also includes Siniawan Town.

“These packages combine Siniawan’s cultural heritage with nearby geosites such as Tasik Biru, Paku Rock Maze, and the Wind Cave Nature Reserve,” he said.