Six-generation family jars, Qur’an manuscript among treasures donated to Sarawak Museum Dept

The 11 significant heritage artefacts handed over to the Sarawak Musuem Department.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, May 19: Six traditional jars that have been carefully preserved and passed down through six generations were among the remarkable heritage artefacts donated to the Sarawak Museum Department.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah noted that the department’s commitment to protecting cultural heritage has inspired strong public support, with 11 significant donations received in the first quarter of this year alone.

Among the most notable were the six heirloom jars donated by Maney Nyiggang from Lepong Empeliau, Sri Aman.

“Other key donations included a sawfish rostrum contributed by Chyr Ye Hong from Kuching, originating from Tatau, Bintulu and estimated to be over 50 years old. The rostrum serves as a fascinating specimen and shows a glimpse of biodiversity in northern Sarawak.

“The museum also received an old copy of the Mushaf al-Maliki Qur’an donated by Abang Abdul Karim Abang Yak, which contains a handwritten note indicating it was purchased in Kabong on Feb 9, 1942,” he shared during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting today.

In addition, historical documentation from Ko Tee Hock @ Joseph Ko was added to the collection, including a 1937 passport as well as identity certificates from 1939 and 1940, further enriching the State’s archival heritage.

Abdul Karim said the museum department continues to actively carry out conservation and preservation works on heritage monuments across the sSate, including three significant sites, namely Makam Sultan Tengah in Santubong, Lumbong Rentap in Bukit Sibau, Pakan, and Makam Pengiran Matussin in Trombol, Kuching, which have all been successfully preserved to safeguard Sarawak’s shared historical legacy.

He also emphasised the department’s progress in digital preservation efforts, noting that 621 old maps were successfully digitised in the first quarter of the year as part of ongoing national digital transformation initiatives in heritage management.

Beyond preservation and digitisation, he said the museum department remains committed to advancing research covering both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

“Current studies include Chinese cultural heritage in Bau, a natural history research project in Sarawak, the Bidayuh traditional musical instrument ‘Praktuong’, and the Orang Ulu child naming ceremony,” he said.

Abdul Karim added that archaeological field surveys are also being actively conducted at several key sites, including Bukit Serapah, Gua Sireh, Batu 18, and Bukit Berhala in Serian, as well as Gua Chupak in Padawan and Gua Lungup in Bau.

“These efforts aim to reassess site conditions, update archaeological records, and strengthen evidence-based research in the field of archaeology,” he said. — DayakDaily