Writing Sarawak's history must be based on authentic sources

KUCHING, Oct 1: An attempt to rewrite Sarawak's history needs to be based on authentic sources in order to complete existing records without altering historical facts.

Sarawak State Elder, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that re-research of history should be conducted responsibly taking into account the diverse resources and experience of local communities.

"Re-writing Sarawak's history is not about changing facts at will. It is meant to fill in the gaps, correct mistakes, broaden viewpoints, read external sources critically as well as elevate local resources and the voice of Sarawak's own people in historical narrative", he said.

He said so at the 2026 National Symposium (MSN) in Wisma Melayu Sarawak, today.

His wife, Toh Aunty Fauziah Mohd Sanusi was also present.

In the meantime, Tun Wan Junaidi said that society should also be critical of outside historical writing including Western, European and Orientalist studies as well as records related to Brooke's administration.

Obviously, the material does not necessarily have to be rejected, but it must be studied and compared with other sources for a more complete historical picture.

He said that Sarawak has a wide range of historical materials which can be used as research sources including artifacts, documents, academic studies as well as materials stored in museums, galleries, archives and individual collections.

In this regard, he called for the digitization and publication of Sarawak's historical resources to be intensified in order to ensure that the materials are accessible and exploited by future generations.

"Let us write, read and teach the history of Sarawak with confidence. Don't let our history be small and foreign written.

"Don't let the voice of our community be lost in incomplete records. Don't let the younger generation inherit a developed state but don't know the meaning", he said.