Ipoi Datan
KUCHING: Plans for achieving the status of a heritage city for Kuching seem more probable with the planning of a new museum.
While still in the process of planning and finalising the design and concept of the new museum, Sarawak Museum Department director Ipoi Datan said implementation of the project should start next year once given the green light.
“We will be having an initial design and concept meeting sometime in early December with the consultants for the building and design, this is what we are currently working on.
“Once it has been done and agreed to by the top authorities, hopefully next year we can start on the implementation of the project,” he said when met by the press after speaking at the ‘Ulu Trusan Expedition 1900’ talk held here yesterday at Dewan Tun Abdul Razak.
He also mentioned that the site would be in the vicinity, with the management office and display building replacing the current Dewan Tun Abdul Razak and a collection centre a little down the way where the carparks are located.
“Unfortunately, the Dewan Tun Abdul Razak would have to give way, but we would be building a four-storey building to replace this one,” he added.
Ipoi also said that the new museum would most likely exhibit the different cultures of the people in Sarawak and portray the variety of cultures of the communities here like the Malays, Chinese, Ibans, Orang Ulus, Melanaus and Bidayuhs.
“Of course, we will have more informative galleries like archaeology, beads, music and so on as well as zoology,” he added.
Ipoi was speaking on the Ulu Trusan Expedition 1900 launched by Rajah Charles Brooke against Lun Bawang (formerly Murut) leaders, namely brothers Ukong and Dayung Kelupan and Dawat Tubu from Upper Trusan.
The informative talk also shed light on the local version of the expedition, of which little is known, as opposed to the reasons, conduct and achievements of the expedition from the Brooke officers’ perspective as reported in the Sarawak Gazette.
Participants to the talk were also enlightened about Lun Bawang traditional social strata, slavery system, feasts, blood feuds, headhunting practice as well as the erection of earthen crocodile and serpentine effigies.