By Ma Chee Seng & Lee Shaw Wei
KUCHING: House of Peace or Rumah Sri Aman will be turned into a museum next year, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim who is also Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said that Rumah Sri Aman is where the Sri Aman Declaration was signed between the Sarawak government and the communists in Oct 21, 1973.
The opening of the Sri Aman Museum next year, according to him, would coincide with the Declaration’s 50th anniversary.
“Only a few countries in the world have successfully negotiated a peace treaty with the communists, but the Sarawak government did so 50 years ago.
“That’s the reason why I insist on the place where the peace treaty was signed, the tables and chairs that are being used, we want to turn that building into a museum and get it officiated,” Abdul Karim said.
He made that the announcement yesterday when officiating the Sarawak Museum Department’s Appreciation Night and Excellent Service Award 2021 held at Waterfront Hotel.
Abdul Karim added that Simanggang, the town’s original name, was changed to Sri Aman as a result of the peace treaty (Sri Aman Declaration 1973).
“Because of the possibility of ambushes along the way and the poor quality of the road, not many dared to drive from Kuching to Sibu prior to the peace treaty.
“There will need to be a police escort joining the convoy even if there are brave individuals because of the possibility of being ambushed by the communists there.
“But with the signing of the peace treaty 50 years ago, we managed to have peace from then on until today and that’s why one of the reasons we would want to see the place where peace was created in Sarawak could be reflected in the Sri Aman Museum,” he explained.
Abdul Karim also mentioned that the Sarawak Museum Department is restoring the existing forts so they can be converted into museums.
“Some divisions, including Bintulu and Mukah, have already approached us and expressed a desire to establish museums.
“This year’s Limbang museum will be officially opened on August 4 by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he continued.
At the occasion, Abdul Karim presented certificates to Adenan Amit and Sabli Bujang, two employees of the Sarawak Museum Department who will soon be retiring.
And additionally, he presented the Excellent Service Award (APC) 2021 to 19 recipients.
Also present during the event were Sarawak Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and Datuk Snowdan Lawan, MTCP chief assistant secretary Dr Elena Chai, Sarawak Museum Department director Tazudin Mohtar, and Sarawak Museum deputy director Dayang Morzanah Awg Haddy.
