Minos (centre) and BBHA principal office bearers and the contractor (left) pose for a photograph at the construction site.
BAU: The Bung Bratak Heritage Centre —reputed as Borneo’s first hilltop tourism centre—now looks set to be completed by June next year.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Dato Peter Minos said the association planned to invite Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to officially launch the centre.
He was also confident the centre, on top of the 1,000-foot Mount Bratak near Kampung Tembawang Sauh here, would be ready for a soft opening on May 1 next year for a special Bung Bratak Day celebration, which has not been celebrated since 2014.
“We are happy Bung Bratak Heritage Centre is coming up. I would say about one quarter of the work is already done. If weather permits, the centre will be ready by next year’s Gawai Dayak.”
The view of the construction site from the top of the hill.
Minos and the project’s contractor went to the site yesterday to check on its progress. Joining them were Bau Bidayuh Pemanca Daniel Teho and principal office bearers from BBHA.
On another matter, Minos said the BBHA would talk to the relevant authorities, particularly Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, to get the access road to the centre tar-sealed and upgraded, starting from the junction off the Bau-Lundu Road.
Previously, people climbed up Bung Bratak through traditional treks, but the contractor has managed to build an access road up the hill to transport construction materials, he added.
He also said there would be signages and welcoming arch to guide visitors to the centre, which he believes can be a hit with researchers and tourists.
The RM8 million Bung Bratak Heritage Centre project is financed by the federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture and implemented by the state Public Works Department.
Bung Bratak, or Mount Bratak, is considered the original and ancient ancestral home of the Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuhs, who live in 33 villages in Bau and Lundu Districts. Their population is over 30,000.
Once completed, the centre would have two traditional longhouses, one for accommodation of up to 100 guests and one for a big conference hall, function rooms, an office, and a mini museum.
There will be a big ‘baruk’ (traditional roundhouse), a reception building, and a separate dining hall and kitchen; thus allowing the centre to be used for conferences and seminars as well as for cultural and other functions.
Minos also said the project would transform the scenic Bung Bratak’s two waterfalls, two spring water holes, forest, plants and faunas and other natural features into a tourist spot.
“This centre is aimed not just to promote Jagoi-Bratak culture and history only. It is to promote the whole Bidayuh community. It will also be a centre for research on Bidayuh culture, customs and traditions, arts and artifacts, traditional dances and music.
“The traditional treks will still be maintained for those who are into ecotourism and wanting to see natural things and environment found on Bung Bratak,” he said, adding BBHA would also talk to Bau District Council to build parking spaces just outside the centre.
He also hoped for extra funds to enable BBHA to build a special monument for Panglima Kulow.
Kulow in 1841 rescued 300 Bung Bratak children who were captured by enemies. He was assisted by Rajah James Brooke in the rescue mission. The 300 children were the direct ancestors of the present Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuhs of Bau and Lundu districts.
“Bung Bratak and Panglima Kulow are thus of great historical and sentimental value to the Bidayuhs of Jagoi-Bratak.”