BY NATASHA JEE & SHARIFAH NONG-JASIMA
KUCHING: Sarawakian writers and researchers are being encouraged to produce historical works that delve into the state’s rich past and explore the lives of national figures from Sarawak.
Among the potential areas for historical exploration, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari proposed a focus on Bukit Sadok and the legendary Iban warrior Rentap.
“If possible, this research should be conducted from our own perspective and our historical viewpoint. This is because there have been associations linking Rentap with piracy. But is that narrative accurate?
“Hence, proper research is necessary, and perhaps an appropriate title of the book could be ‘Bukit Sadok, Rentap’, allowing us to document this part of history in greater detail,” he said.
He said this during the inaugural Sarawak Premier’s Best Book Award ceremony organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) *Sarawak Branch* at the Waterfront Hotel here last night (May 23).
Abang Johari also stressed the importance of writing fact-based history, drawing inspiration from local historian Datuk Dr Sanib Said, who is known for his grassroots approach in exploring Sarawak’s past, including travelling by boat to uncover stories in rural communities.
In his second proposal, Abang Johari said there is a need to document the stories of key figures such as Merpati Jepang and Datuk Patinggi Ali whose roles are seen as the “seed of power” in Sarawak’s early political landscape.
“Because Sarawak was not like what it is today, it goes up to Lidah Tanah and Siniawan. And this ‘seed of power’ was rooted in Lidah Tanah. There is immense historical value in those areas, both before and during the Brooke era.
“That is why I supported the development of a dual carriageway to Bau, passing through Siniawan. It’s a route with historical depth where visitors can see the sites of events that took place in Lidah Tanah and Siniawan,” he said.
He also said James Brooke, first White Rajah of Sarawak, had a bungalow in Siniawan and also bred horses there, of which was connected to the presence of Malay villages in Siniawan.
“This is where a strong bond of unity existed between the Malay community and the Bidayuh people in the area.
“Therefore, a book on this which is told from our own historical perspective can be produced,” he said.
Later, he also announced an increase in the cash prizes for the Sarawak Premier’s Best Book Award.
Prize for the External Publisher category has been raised from RM5,000 to RM10,000, while the award for the DBP category has increased from RM8,000 to RM15,000.
The increment aims to encourage the publication of higher-quality, factual literature for future generations.
