KUCHING: The Santubong Archaeological Park (SAP) and Wallace Centre have officially opened, marking a new milestone in Sarawak’s tourism sector.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the RM36.6-million project was an initiative envisioned by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when he was the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in 2016.
He said the project began on September 5, 2019, and construction has now been fully completed.
“The Santubong Archaeological Park and Wallace Centre are among the Sarawak government’s initiatives to make Santubong a prime heritage attraction of the state.
“A total of three galleries will be opened simultaneously, namely the Sungai Jaong Archaeological Site and Gallery, the Bongkissam and Bukit Maras Archaeological Site and Gallery, and the Wallace Centre located in Kampung Santubong that are not only about showcasing artifacts, but also allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Sarawak’s heritage, culture, and history.
“It will highlight archaeological discoveries that prove the existence of an iron industry, maritime trade, and early religious practices in Santubong, thus making it an educational, recreational, and cultural tourism attraction of world-class standing,” he said.
He was speaking during the launch of the project, which was officiated by Abang Johari at the Sungai Jaong Gallery, Santubong, near here today.
Abdul Karim said the Sungai Jaong site stands out as a heritage landmark, renowned for its ancient rock carvings and archaeological remains dating back to the 9th-14th centuries, when the foothills of Mount Santubong served as a vibrant hub for human settlement and iron smelting activities.
“One of the main attractions is the rock carvings in anthropomorphic or human-like shapes, known as petroglyphs, which reflect the traditions and culture of past communities.
“Sungai Jaong is truly unique because it combines natural beauty with traces of ancient heritage, making it a special destination for nature and history lovers as well as tourists,” he added.
He said that Bongkissam and Bukit Maras illustrate Santubong’s role as a key entrepot port in the region.
The discovery of ancient places of worship, along with gold figurines, beads, statues, and ceramics from the Sung, Yuan, Tang, and Qing dynasties, he said, serves as evidence of the area’s extensive trade networks and Hindu-Buddhist religious influences.
In addition, he highlighted that the Wallace Centre will also shed light on the contributions of naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, and his Sarawakian assistant, Ali, who both played pivotal roles in shaping the history of world science.
