IMPORTANT LINK: Abang Johari (fourth left) listening attentively to a briefing on Wallace’s works at the Natural History of Museum, London, during his visit there recently. Also seen are Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Dayang Juma’ani Tunku Bujang (second right), Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip (second left) and his wife Datin Dr Zaliha Christine Abdullah (left) and permanent secretary to the Tourism Ministry Datu Ik Pahon Joyik (third left). — Photo courtesy of Mohamad Abdul Rahman Adenan
THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES: Some of the writings and works of Wallace found in the Natural History of Museum, London.
KUCHING: Sarawak will be collaborating with the Natural History Museum of London from next year to unlock the possibility of establishing a heritage trail for Kuching City, says Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking to The Borneo Post in an exclusive interview at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex recently, he said the collaboration, if successful, will enable Kuching City to have a direct link with the top British museum, which is world-renowned.
“We are planning to establish a heritage trail in Kuching City located mainly in the Main Bazaar area, the DUN complex area and the Astana as announced by the chief minister recently,” said Abang Johari.
He disclosed that during his recent visit to four British museums; namely Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford University, Natural History Museum, London, British Museum, London and Victoria and Albert Museum, London he discovered that there was an important link between Sarawak and the Natural History Museum in London where Alfred Wallace’s works on the theory of ‘the origin of species’ or the theory of evolution are displayed.
“Wallace was the one who had that particular theory when he was in Sarawak where he did his studies at Matang, Santubong and Simunjan. And in that museum, there is a special room for Wallace.
“So we will be collaborating with them and we are planning to have a special Wallace Centre here which will be linked with the Darwin Centre in London.
“Our ultimate goal is to establish Kuching as a heritage city but first we must have link with scholars so that they will come here to carry out their research where we will have life sciences link,” said Abang Johari.
Abang Johari also said that through the proposed collaboration, Sarawak can attract researchers and scientists to do more research here.
“Eventually these researchers can work with our local scientists since we already have Sarawak Biodiversity Council,” he elaborated.
He said for a start, the state government was considering sending museum staff to Britain to provide the necessary link with them.
“We are talking about working with world renowned experts. Firstly, we will establish a brainwork of collaboration and then later on we will have certain scientific link and the moment we have that we will be able to establish our link in scientific study with the whole world because the British museum is world-renowned for its research.
When asked when Kuching City will be able to attain the status of a heritage city, Abang Johari said the effort has been ongoing.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari who is also the Minister of Housing said he was saddened by the decision of some shop-owners in the Main Bazaar area in refusing the government’s 50 per cent funding to paint the facade of their shops.
“Instead they are asking for a 100 per cent funding.
“I can’t understand that mentality because the government doesn’t own these shop houses,” he lamented.