Funding of historical sites proposed for 10MP

http://www.mysarawak.org/2009/07/18/funding-of-historical-sites-proposed-for-10mp.html

Funding of historical sites proposed for 10MP

Posted on 18 July 2009.

Sarawak Museum wants sites in Meligan, Kelabit and Bario highlands to be conserved, developed for posterity

KUCHING: Sarawak Museum is hoping to get funding from the federal government to preserve, conserve and develop historical sites in the Meligan, Kelabit and Bario highlands.

Its director Gilbert Ipoi Datan said the museum, through the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, had submitted a proposal for the project to be included in the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

“Hopefully, and God willing, we can get some federal funds so that the historical sites can be visited not only by the Kelabit and Lun Bawang people but also other ethnic groups and tourists,” he said.

Ipoi said with the funding, the museum would be able to properly identify the sites and put up signs to explain their significance and ask for cooperation from the people to help look after them.

“Also included in the proposed project are the building of some sort of protective sheds and fencing, rest stops and track links in between the historical sites,” he said when met during a dinner in a restaurant here Thursday.

The dinner was jointly hosted by Lun Bawang Association Kuching Branch and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Kuching Branch in appreciation of and celebration of his appointment as the museum director and the appointment of Datu Ose Murang as permanent secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism.

Ipoi, who is the first Lun Bawang to head the State Museum, said an information centre would also be set up either in Bario or Ba Kelalan.

“With the cooperation of Sarah Hitchner (a student from the University of Georgia, United States doing a PhD degree in ecological anthropology) and the Forest Department, we have more or less identified and documented more than 250 sites and with the funds from the federal government, we can preserve and develop them,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Ipoi thanked Ose, former state minister Datuk Sri Balan Seling and others for their continuous support and guidance.

He also welcomed constructive criticisms

and suggestions from the public regarding the activities carried out by the museum.

On his part, Ose expressed his and Ipoi’s gratitude to the state government for entrusting them with the big responsibilities.

The former Miri Resident also thanked everybody including mentors Gerald Lee for the academic guidance and Balan for his political guidance, encouragement and support through the years.

“We will continue to work closely with the Kelabits and Lun Bawangs on issues that are important to them,” he said.

Rurum Kelabit Sarawak president Gerawat Gala and Lun Bawang Association Kuching branch vice-chairman Petrus Asai were among those present at the dinner.