Misc. Heritage News – April 2016

[last updated 04/05/16 21:10]

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SARAWAK

New sketch book of Kuching heritage buildings –  “Kuching, Legacy of the White Rajahs”, featuring 24 sketches of Kuching heritage buildings by Hanzhen, a talented young Malaysian autist artist, was launched by the Malaysian Institute of Architects Sarawak Chapter (PAM Sarawak) on 2nd April and at a public book signing the following day. The book is a PAMSC initiative. The text has been edited by Dr John Ting, conservation historian and architect expert on Sarawak built heritage [“Book on legacy of the White Rajahs to be launched”, Borneo Post online, 02 Apr. 2016  “Legacy of the White Rajah through a savant’s eyes”, Borneo Post online, 6 Apr. 2016]

Outcry over commercialization of access to the Old Court House (Kuching) for wedding photos – A request by the management of the new commercial operator of the Old Court house complex for payment of a fee for shooting wedding photos at the Old Court House, a popular place for wedding photo souvenirs, created an outcry by members of the public, relayed by the media. A Borneo Post columnist described it as “misstep, miscommunication and misunderstanding”. [“Pixman outraged by RM250 charge for photo-shoot at Old Court House”, Borneo Post online, 6 Apr. 2016; “Misstep, miscommunication and misunderstanding” column, Borneo Post, 10 Apr. 2016]

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) Veterans and students visit to Sarawak – The visit, part of a cultural exchange programme on heritage, was coordinated locally by the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) Heritage Development Committee and the Australian Business Centre (ABC). The head of the delegation advocated for provision of local budget lines to support the cultural exchange activities on heritage. “This is a common practice in Australia as local governments (councils) are doing a lot for heritage aimed at educating young citizens on history, peace and freedom as well as to preserve the identity of the country”, he said. [“Anzac group visits Kuching South Mayor during annual trip to city”, Borneo Post online, 16 Apr. 2016]

Heritage corner created at library of SMK Methodist School, Sibu – The collection gathers some 2,000 old photos and documents. [“Memorabilia kept in heritage corner at SMK Methodist”, The Star online, 02 Apr. 2016]

Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture expresses support to heritage listings in historic Kuching – At a press conference in Carpenter Street, Kuching, Malaysia’s Minister for Tourism and Culture stated his ministry’s support to the State Government in registering historical sites. “Once buildings at historical sites are gazetted, they would not be demolished and my job is to ensure they stay put”, adding that his ministry would provide support to enhance the area for tourism and heritage. “We may want to make Carpenter Street a pedestrian mall with no vehicles passing through, like India Street (…) It’s something to ponder on and we want it to boom”, adding that it would increase the value of the buildings at Carpenter Street, reported the Borneo Post.
The Minister also attended the launching by the Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak of a new cycling package, the “Fort to Fort Trail”. The 6 days tour is to take the participants on a 146 km loop through Pantu, Banting, Lingga, Sri Aman, Betong, Skrang, Batang Ai.
The Borneo Post report on this launch stated that 12 of the 20+ remaining forts of the Brooke era have been gazetted so far. [“Transforming historical buildings into heritage sites” and “Nazri launches Fort to Fort Trail bike tour of unique heritage“, Borneo Post online, 30 Apr. 2016].

Sarawak Heritage Society and Friends of Sarawak Museum’s visit to the Batu Lintang WW2 Memorial Mini-Museum (30 April 2016) – The Batu Lintang Japanese Internment Camp operated from March 1942 till September 1945.  It housed both Allied prisoners of war and civilian prisoners in what used to be the British Indian army barracks.  Thousands were sent and perished there from disease, malnutrition and mistreatment.  It had 2,024 internees including women and children when it was liberated on 11^th September 1945.  The camp was made famous through the book “Three Came Home” by Agnes Newton Keith who was a renowned author and internee, which was later made into a movie.  The site is now the Batu Lintang Teachers’ Training Institute which was established there in 1948.
The museum, which opens only by appointment, houses photos, documents and some memorabilia of the prisoners.
27 people joined the visit, led by Mr. Lim Kian Hock (Sarawak Tourism Federation Heritage Development Committee Chair) who was instrumental in the setting up of the museum. Mr Lim gave a passionate introduction and historical insights. He presented the history of the museum and exhibits, and related many interesting stories about the ingenuity and sacrifices of the prisoners in their struggle for survival in the camp.

 

Updates, in picture:

“Golden Bridge” pillars under construction, Kuching, 07/04/2016 (SHS member photo)

 

07/04/2016. Still under works: India Street’s large new steel and glass arcade (Kuching) (SHS member photo)

 

MALAYSIA-WIDE AND BEYOND (as ‘food for thought’ for Sarawak)

More reports on Penang’s escalating heritage property market – A Star newspaper article mentioned market value increases “by about 37% to 157% per sq ft (psf) since 2008 due to investments made by Penangites staying overseas and by Singaporeans”, with current prices reaching RM550 to RM1,800 per sq ft. A company is reported to have snapped 60 houses in George Town’s heritage areas.
This trend has in turn boosted built-heritage restoration, cost of which have also markedly increased. The Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Northern Chapter, is quoted saying that the cost of restoring heritage properties has increased by about 40% since 2008. “Today the cost to restore such houses ranged between RM150,000 and RM500,000 per unit”. “A simple restoration for a heritage property with a 2,000 sq ft built-up area can cost about RM150,000”. “It costs RM50,000 just to restore the roof of a heritage house”, he added.
The rents of such properties experienced a commensurate increase, but rental yields are reported to have stagnated at 4 to 5%. The market attractiveness of the heritage building segment appears therefore more related to the realization of the finite supply of heritage properties than by short term income prospects.
The article recalls in this respect that, according to George Town World Heritage Inc,, George Town has 82 Category I buildings/sites (top category, “reflecting the authenticity of the cultural landscape and therefore the outstanding universal values of the world heritage site (WHS)” and 3,771 Category II heritage properties (“residences and business premises that have existed for generations”, “built to support the traditional beliefs of the inhabitants and users”).
In a related article, FMT News reported that some quarters urged the Penang Government to ban foreigners from purchasing heritage properties in George Town. [“The allure of heritage properties”, The Star online, 2 Apr. 2016; ”Prevent foreigners owning heritage buildings in Penang” FMT News, 1 May 2016].

Sabah: 10 sites proposed to be gazetted as National Heritage – At a visit to Batu Tulug Agop Archaeological Site, Kinabatangan, Malaysia’s Tourism and Culture Minister announced a list of 10 items proposed to be gazetted as national heritage sites in Sabah. Of these, two are cultural heritage (Batu Tulug Agop, and Tengkorak Archaeological Park Semporna), and 8 natural heritage (including Kinabalu National Park). Some quarters subsequently voiced that heritage listings in Sabah should remain the domain of the Sabah Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997 and that the Federal level (National Heritage Act 2005) should not interfere in this area. He added that one of the proposed sites is already listed under the Sabah Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997. [“10 tourist spots in Sabah to be gazetted National Heritage Sites” New Straits Times, 30 March 2016; “Sabah govt should reject federal gazette on Sabah’s cultural and natural assets”, SabahaNews (blog) 1Apr. 2016]

Push for Taiping (Perak) to become heritage town – The MP for Taiping, capital of the State of Perak, is pushing for the gazetting of the town, starting with “33 historical firsts to be registered as heritage sites under the National Heritage Act 2005”. “I have just received confirmation that six of these historical places have already been gazetted by the National Heritage Commission” (…) “Once the town has been gazetted, this recognition lasts forever, which also means that local authorities will continue to receive allocations from the Tourism and Culture Ministry to upgrade and maintain the place for the benefit of the younger generation”, The Star quoted him saying. The National Heritage Commission, the State government and Taiping Municipal Council are reported to join efforts on this project. “All on the same page for Taiping’s heritage status” The Star online, 16 Apr. 2016.

Thai authorities’ unconventional proposals to heritage site resident owners – The proposal is to allow them to “continue living in cultural heritage areas – and even receive state funding if they agree to relinquish ownership rights to the land and help conservation efforts” and to offer tax incentives -such as waiver of household taxes- to facilitate conservation of cultural heritage assets. The proposal seemingly involves changes in the regulations relating to the taking over of private property for public interest. “Thai government proposes expropriation of heritage sites”, The Star online, 6 Apr. 2016.

‘Roots.sg’, new Singapore National Heritage Board one-stop e-portal – The portal, launched in mid-April, provides access to a wealth of e-resources, ranging from Singapore museum collections to heritages trails and documentation on intangible heritage. “Parliament: National Heritage Board launches one-stop heritage portal Roots.sg”, Straits Times, 14 Apr. 2016

Singapore National Heritage Board’s annual Patron of Heritage awards – The annual awards “recognise individuals, corporations and organisations who donate generously – in cash and kind – to help the arts, culture and heritage thrive “. “You cannot take all these things with you when you die“, said one of the benefactors. [“Donors celebrated at National Heritage Board’s Patron of Heritage awards” Straits Times (Singapore), 21 Apr. 2016].

 

ALSO IN THE MEDIA LAST MONTH

Erhu passion – The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-string music instrument. The Borneo Post reported on a retired Sibu resident who dedicates his retirement to playing and manufacturing this instrument. He is also developing a collection of classical Chinese music instruments and runs a small orchestra who regularly romances Sibu public places in the evenings by the river.  [“Old-timer turns retirement gift into erhu passion” Borneo Post online, 3 Apr. 2016]

An article on the Kinta Tin Mining (Gravel Pump Mining) Museum, Perak, reminding us that Malaysia was for many years the world’s biggest tin producing country, with tin mining industry having attracted large numbers of migrants, mainly from China in the late nineteenth century. The museum, located in Bandar Baru Kampar, Kampar (about 150km north of Kuala Lumpur, off the highway to Taiping), opened in 2012. [“Treasure in tin heritage”, The Star online, 4 Apr. 2016]

Brookes’ roots in Devon, England – In relation to the current setting up of a Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita, Kuching, a Borneo Post columnist refreshed our memories on the Brooke Rajahs burial place at the small St Leonard’s  Church in Sheepstor (Dartmoor National Park, Devon). The article points to an interesting link to a page of the “Devon Heritage” website, dedicated to Sheepstor and the White Rajahs of Sarawak [“Part of Sarawak’s heritage buried deep in Devon”, column, Borneo Post, 10 Apr. 2016]

 

Comments are welcome.

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“Jumping Feline”: street art in Carpenter Street, Kuching (SHS member photo)

Kuching Heritage Race – Saturday 30 January am – Register!

 

Following similar events hold in Singapore and Bangkok, the first Kuching Heritage Race will take place Saturday 30 January. An initiative of travel industry stakeholders, it is a charity event organized by a committee of local volunteers including SHS members.

A good occasion for an outing with family or friends to discover or to reacquaint oneself with Kuching’s diverse, in some cases hidden or forgotten cultural heritage.

What and how:

• Teams of 2 to 6 members. Open to all  (visitors, note!). Max 200 participants.
• 3-4 km walk through Central Kuching to answer questions or carry out activities based on the clues and instructions given.
• Not necessary to know a lot of history to be able to win because the clues are all there.
• Each team to have at least someone with a smartphone.
• Teams that get the most answers correct and get all the stamps within two hours will qualify for a lucky draw to win the first, second and third cash prizes (RM1,000, RM 500, RM 250). Meaning: it’s not about being the fastest!
• RM 50 per participant.
• “Funds raised during the event will go to charities that are often overlooked and under-funded. The aim of this race is to raise at least RM 20,000, mainly from sponsors, for the Breakthrough Ministries, which in turn purchase the required instruments and other items for “Meeting Needs.” Meeting Needs is a NGO that assists under-privileged families, especially those with special needs children.” (Kuching Heritage Race website).
• Makan and goodies: breakfast, lunch and a goodies bag will be provided to the participants.

When: Saturday 30 January 9:00 to 11:00 am. Participants to report from 8 am.

Where: Starts and ends at Granary Kitchen and Bar, Wayang Street.

Programme:

08.00-8.45 – Check in and registration (coffee will be served)
8.45-9.00 – Welcome & briefing
9.00 – Flag-off
11.00 – Race ends (participants must return by 11am to qualify for lucky draw)
11.00 onward –  Closing & prize giving
12.00 – Lunch & wrapping up

Registration still open at the Kuching Heritage Race website  (On 26 January 2015, a Borneo Post article reported that some 120 participants had so far registered).

Visit to Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital (ex-) leprosarium and mini-museum – Sun. 6 Sept. 2015, 9:00 am

A site visit organized by the Sarawak Heritage Society

When : Sunday 6 September 2015, 9am to 12pm
Where : Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital, ’13th Mile’, Jalan Borneo Heights, past Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Who: for SHS members – members can bring along friends and family.

The visit will be conducted in English.

Free of charge for all.

To ensure a place please email  sarawakheritagesociety@gmail.com  to register not later than Thursday 3 September.

 

 

The RCBM lies at the outskirts of Kuching’s fast-expanding urban sprawl. But over 75 years ago, when founded as the site of the third and final leprosy settlement in Sarawak, it was in deep jungle. It has housed patients right up to the present day. The site is a testimony to many decades of occupation by this community, where they built residential blocks, places to gather and places to worship. Over the years, the community collected meticulous records and numerous objects that document their lives in this place, including photos, certificates and medical equipment, as well as a wide range of handicrafts made by the patients themselves. The doctors and staff at the hospital, today serving a wide range of patients, have been tasked with conserving the property and the collection and, to this end, have compiled a book for publication at the end of the year in conjunction with a visit by the Sarawak Chief Minister.

 

 

Speakers : Dr Goh Yi Xiong and Angelina Jong

Dr Goh Yi Xiong is the Director of Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital. Originally from KL but settled in Kuching for the past two years, he has become highly engaged with Sarawak and the history of RCBM.

Angelina Jong is the Head of the Physiotherapy Unit at RCBM. She has come to be in charge of the objects at the ‘mini-museum’ at the hospital through a series of strange coincidences but it has sparked a genuine passion in her to research the history of the settlement and create the upcoming book.

Want to read more on the Hospital?  Have A look at the following 2010 article by an expatriate who spent 6 months teaching English t0 to the RCMB community (in Engllish, on a Japanese website) .

And, on the history of leprosy management in Malaysia, this page of the website The Way Home, an online museum project documenting the history associated to the Sungai Buloh leprosy community (Selangor, Malaysia). Times have changed…

Site visit : Old Hokkien School, Kuching – Sat. 22 Aug. 8:30am

PAMSC (Malaysian Institute of Architects), Sarawak Chapter and SHS Sarawak Heritage Society will run a heritage site visit to the Old Hokkien School on Saturday (22. Aug 2015), at 8.30am.

The Old Hokkien School, at the head of Jalan Tabuan, is now part of Chung Hua Primary School No.1.

“As early as 1912, the Hokkien community in Kuching had established a school to nurture its children. This school, originally known as Sarawak Free School and later on as Hokkien Free School, is the present Chung Hua Primary School No.1.”
Lam Chee Kheung, ‘Wee Kheng Chiang of Sarawak:Entrepreneur Extraordinaire’, Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies, 2012, 1: 18-39, p.34

 

The visit will be conducted by Architect Mike Boon and will be followed by a presentation of the history of the building by Mr. Wong Kok Nyen (see bios below).
 

When: Saturday 22 August 2015,  8:30am – 12.00pm

Where : Old Hokkien School, Chung Hua Primary School No.1 (junction of Jalan Tabuan and Lorong Park Road), Kuching

Fee: PAM or SHS members: RM10 – Non-members: RM20

Capacity is limited, with priority to PAM/SHS members. To ensure a place please register before 17 August 2015 by email to sarawakheritagesociety@gmail.com.  (Fee can be settled at the event).

Flyer/Registration form for site visit of old Hokkien School build.

Seminar : ‘The Architecture of Sarawak Before 1963’ – Sat. 25 Jul. am, Kuching

This seminar, given by John Ting, architect and historian, prominent expert in Sarawak built heritage, is jointly organised by PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects), Sarawak Chapter and the Sarawak Heritage Society.

When : 25 July 2015 (Saturday), 9.00am-12.00pmWhere : Kuching, PAMSC [Queen’s Court, Jalan Wan Alwi, Lot 7915, 2ndFloor, Sub-­Lot 56]

Registration required, by 23 July. Capacity limited to 70 participants – registration on first come-first-served basis.

Fee : PAM or SHS members: RM 10 – Non members : RM 20.

Registration form

“Social Life of baskets” – talk by Dr. Bernard Sellato Tue 30 June, 10am

The following talk -which promises to be of great interest- is announced by University of Malaysia (UNIMAS) Faculty of Social Sciences and Friends of Sarawak Museum: 

 

Talk on Penang houses – Sunday 14 June

Invitation to SHS members

“The Penang House and the Straits Architect 1887–1941”
Talk by Dr. Jon Lim

jointly organised by PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects) Sarawak Chapter and the Sarawak Heritage Society

When: Sunday 14 June 2015, 5 pm – 7pm

Where : Kuching, PAMSC [Queen’s Court, Jalan Wan Alwi, Lot 7915, 2ndFloor, Sub-­Lot 56]

The talk is free but, for logistical purposes, if  you plan to attend, please let us know ahead by e-mail (sarawakheritagesociety@gmail.com).

The talk will be based on Dr Lim’s book “The Penang House and the Straits Architect 1887–1941“, a richly illustrated tribute to Penang’s grand heritage homes. Dr. Lim traces the development of the Penang house from early colonial precedents to the extravagant mansions of the 1920s high society, and on the modernising developments of the pre-war years. Furnished with a wealth of photographs and architectural plans, the book has been lauded by renowned achitectural historian Miles Lewis as “an important pioneeiring study of an important era in Malayan architecture“;

Jon Sun Hock Lim, BArch, MArch (Melb), PhD (NUS) was born in Malaya in 1942. He lectured in the National University of Singapore’s School of Architecture between 1972 and 2002. His primary research interest is the architects of Singapore and Penang (1786-1942). Lim has actively collected oral history relating to the architects of Penang and has researched the origins of the islands’s architectural practice. His previous publications include a monograph entiteld The Shophouse Rafflesia: A diffusion of a Malayan prototype in Southeast Asia (1992) and Architecture of South East Asia published in the centennial ediion of Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture (1996). He also served as editor of Transforming Traditions, produced by the ASEAN Studies publication series (2001).

At Fort Alice re-opening, Sarawak Chief Minister pledges conservation of surviving Brooke era forts

[updated 21/06/2015]

Sarawak Heritage Society and PAMSC (Malaysian Institute of Architects Sarawak Chapter) are pledging their support for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in his decision to conserve the surviving 14 forts of Sarawak during the opening of the newly restored Fort Alice on Saturday 18 April 2015 in Sri Aman. His calls support his speech at the Sarawak Tourism Forum held a few days earlier in which he stated that the ‘unique features’ of the State’s history, including the rule of the ‘White Rajah’ was of great interest to visitors to Sarawak. Both NGOs strongly believe that the series of forts are part of a narrative that would delight tourists and be a definitive step forward in any drive to list under UNESCO World Heritage. They also commend his call to preserve all remaining trees on the site.

Chief Minister Satem pointing at trees on site and instructing not to cut down any more that are green

Out of thirty forts built across Sarawak, stretching from Lundu to Lawas, only 14 remain in different stages of dilapidation. Even Fort Alice had fallen into serious disrepair before the RM5 million project under Jabatan Muzium Sarawak to restore it to its former glory. PAMSC Chairman and Conservation architect Mike Boon said: ‘Many of the forts have been demolished or even have fallen into the river. We thank the Chief Minister for his support in this pursuit to preserve our cultural heritage for future generation before they are totally forgotten.”

A keen historian, CM verifies the facts on display

Sarawak Heritage Society President, Karen Shepherd, backed up PAMSC’s sentiment by offering the support of both NGOs in helping the museum to prepare a plan for their conservation. “As NGOs, we have been campaigning for a multi-stakeholder approach to heritage conservation in the state. We will do anything within our resources and expertise to help push forward this initiative.”

Both NGOs commend the relevant Ministries in their first steps to set up a Heritage Council to oversee such matters and hope that this will soon result in a heritage unit staffed with knowledgeable personnel who can develop a conservation management plan for effective implementation of the Chief Minister’s directive.

Enjoying all the Museum’s period objects on display

Mike Boon went on to say: “The schoolchildren of Sri Aman who were involved in the community engagement program alongside the project have had the greatest possible finale to this 18-month series of events. The Chief Minister and his wife, along with his Senior Ministers all took time to acknowledge their efforts in learning about the Fort’s conservation and even took a group photograph! This will stay with them for the rest of their lives and cement a love of their heritage for future generations.”

The photo of a lifetime – CM stresses the importance of the community engagement programme in a project of this nature

The community engagement programme, part of the Reminiscing Forgotten Treasures series started in Siniawan by PAMSC, SHS and other NGOs, has been a very successful model of how to energise the community behind heritage sites, enhancing their significance as examples of living heritage. The model has demonstrated what can be achieved by links between NGOs and corporate sponsors, such as NS Bluescope Lysaght (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd. It was introduced to Simanggang and will soon be reintroduced to Kuching. Karen Shepherd added: ‘We would like to propose that our NGOs embark on a new project in Kuching to physically conserve a heritage building and, at the same time, run a third installment in this successful community engagement series for our state’s capital. We will consult with the Museum to identify an appropriate site for physical conservation and call for more like-minded NGOs and corporations to step forward to support our next undertaking.

The above text is a press statement by Sarawak Heritage Society and PAMSC (Institute of Malaysian Architects, Sarawak Chapter), 23 Apr. 2015 

On 27 May 2015, Sarawak Minister of Tourism said that 14 forts will be upgraded and turned into tourist spots (source : Borneo Post article, 29 May 2015)

Related articles :

Fort Alice (Sri Aman) to re-open to public on Sat. 18 Apr. 2015 after major conservation facelift

Oh… Fort Alice tree finery no more

Fort Alice tree surroundings (ct’d)

[article updated 25/04/2015]

Kuching’s ‘Banglo Segu’ : more than just a cute heritage building

The Segu bungalow. SHS photo, Nov. 2014.

On 22 February 2015, Friends of Sarawak Museum and SHS co-hosted a talk for their members, entitled “Episodes from the History of Banglo Segu” (‘Segu’ bungalow) by Dr. John Walker, Sarawak historian, lecturer in political science at University of New South Wales and Australian Defence Force Academy. It took place… in situ, on the deck of the bungalow. Drawing on a research paper he is working on, Dr Walker shed interesting lights on the history of the building and on facets of the life it witnessed in the Rajahs and colonial times and later when it was occupied by Tom Harrisson.

Read the Borneo Post  article by journalist Joanna Yap on this talk:

“The ‘glamorous, scandalous’ times of Banglo Segu” (5 April 2015)

In concluding remarks, the reporter writes opportunely:

“The bungalow has withstood the test of time — but for how long? It is increasingly fenced in by creeping commercial and residential development on all sides. This begets concerns as to what are the future plans for this place — whether there is adequate legal protection and unflinching enforcement of preservation of heritage buildings and how much we are willing to invest in terms of strengthening local authority and expertise in heritage protection and preservation.”

The Segu wooden bungalow is located along Lorong Park (Park Road), opposite the WW2 Air raid shelters. It is normally not open to the public. 

It is known to have been transferred in 1936 to its present site from its original location next to Sungai (river) Segu some 30km from Kuching, where it was originally built as a holiday house for the Third Rajah Vyner Brooke.

The bungalow is part of a list of sites approved in 2007 to be gazetted as heritage sites, but not actually gazetted so far.

 [article updated 12/04/2015]

What’s On: Sarawakiana Talk : WW2 Operation “Semut”: Saturday 28 March, 9am-11am

at Pustaka (State Library) Sarawak

See the Pustaka annoucement : Sarawakiana Talk : ‘Semut’ Ops at Pustaka