KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas yesterday suggested that a replica of a fortress of the great Iban nationalist hero Rentap be built in Betong.
He believed it could be a great tourist attraction, given Rentap’s enduring fame and exploits in fighting the state’s second White Rajah.
Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, made the suggestion when launching the Betong Metro Polytechnic Industry Advisors Council meeting and the signing of strategic collaborative agreements with relevant government departments and agencies here.
He said the great Rentap had built his fortress on top of Bukit Sadok.
“This was a military strategy and Rentap knew it would be very difficult for Rajah Charles Brooke to defeat him there.
“Charles Brooke’s army tried unsuccessfully to capture the fort in June, 1857 and in August, 1858.
“It was on the third attempt in October 1861 that Rentap was defeated when one of his generals betrayed him,” Uggah said.
Rentap, who retreated to the Pakan district where he eventually died in 1870, is now a much respected legend in Sarawak, he said.
“I will talk to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on how we can pursue this,” he said.
Uggah said the state wanted to better develop and promote the tourism sector which has full potentials.
“But we need to have effective strategies, good products and support facilities and very competent workers,” he said.
On the Betong Metro Polytechnic, Uggah said it was another example of the government’s commitment to give good education and facilities to rural students.
“We need to train them well so that they can face future
challenges well.
“As jobs in public and private sectors become scarce, our youths should venture into the vocational and technical fields,” he said.
Uggah, earlier on, witnessed the signing of an agreement between the polytechnic and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Present at the function were the polytechnic director Suhaili Aleh and various representatives of the ministries and agencies.
