Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (centre) looking at traditional kuih displayed by the Terengganu Museum at the International Museum Day exhibition at Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: More research should be done on Sarawak's rich natural heritage and history to accumulate more knowledge on human civilisation in the region, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said the state's history went back all the way to the discovery of a human settlement in the Niah Caves.
"At first it was thought that the settlement at Niah dated back about 40,000 years.
"But recent research by an Australian university and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) found that the indications of civilisation started about 60,000 years ago.
"This is an important discovery in research on civilisation in this part of the world," he said when launching the national-level International Museum Day celebration at Borneo Cultures Museum here on Monday (July 31).
Abang Johari said more in-depth research should be done to shed further light on the development of civilisation in the state.
Similarly, he said British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari made important discoveries in Sarawak in the 19th century.
"The Natural History Museum in London has a section displaying butterflies which Wallace collected from Sarawak.
"We have such a rich heritage in Sarawak that we want to share with the world and we hope researchers will continue to study it," he said.
Abang Johari also thanked the Federal Government for choosing Sarawak to host the International Museum Day celebration.
He said the state had developed the Borneo Cultures Museum as one of the largest in the region, attracting over 700,000 visitors since opening in March last year.
"The past determines the present and the present determines the future.
"As we exhibit our history and past events to share with visitors, we also enrich our culture and knowledge for us to determine the future," he said.
Themed Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing, the celebration will be held until Saturday (Aug 5) with a special exhibition by 31 participating museums and other activities including a sape workshop, curator crash course and cultural performances.
