KUCHING: The Sarawak government is collaborating with the British National Museum in London to obtain certified hard copies of significant historical documents related to the state to be stored in the state’s new archival facility.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the documents include those related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as well as letters from before the formation of Malaysia, during colonial times, and also from the time of the Brunei Sultanate.
He said the initiative is part of a long-term effort to preserve Sarawak’s rich historical legacy in a controlled environment.
“It was decided two years ago that we should have a storage facility to keep our important documents or other historical documents — in one place that would be more suitable for storing such documents,” he said when met by reporters after a working visit to the Archive Building Project near Sarawak State Library (Pustaka) here on Wednesday.
He also said the idea was inspired by a visit he made to the Museum in London, where he discovered many documents related to Sarawak that are currently not available in the state.
“If the originals are not available, we will get certified copies from the museum. Certified by British authorities — meaning they are just like the originals, which we will store here,” he added.
He said that the materials go beyond MA63 and include letters and records from the pre-Malaysia era, colonial administration and the Brunei Sultanate.
He added there were also materials related to British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who is known for his theory of evolution during his expedition to the Malay Archipelago, including Sarawak in the 19th century. Wallace was assisted by a young Malay man named Ali, who became his loyal assistant throughout the expedition.
“Ali was a specimen collector who supported the theory of evolution, which later also contributed to the thinking of Charles Darwin.
“We have also obtained materials related to Ali’s role, including a document known as the ‘Sarawak Law’ that linked with Simunjan Butterfly documents,” he said.
Abang Johari noted that many documents related to Sarawak are currently stored in London under strict humidity and temperature control to preserve their quality.
“The archive building we are constructing will also be equipped with temperature and humidity control systems. I believe we will soon have one of the most advanced archival facilities in the region,” he said.
