via Malay Mail, 24 June 2024: Sarawak’s Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg approved the Dayak Cultural Foundation to manage Fort Lily and Fort Sylvia as cultural heritage centers. These Brooke-era forts will exhibit Iban cultural heritage and artifacts, with plans to use interactive technology.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today approved the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) to manage two Rajah Brooke-era forts from the Sarawak Museum Department as centres to exhibit cultural heritage and artefact of the Iban community.
He said he has no problem with DCF managing Fort Lily, built in 1858, in Betong and Fort Sylvia, built in 1880, in Kapit as the state has many such forts built during the Second Rajah Sir Charles Brooke.
“I agree with [Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas] Uggah’s suggestion. Just go ahead. Let’s fill these forts with our cultural heritage and artefacts,” Abang Johari said at the opening of the two-day Iban cultural symposium and exposition at the SCF building here.
He urged DCF to use the Sarawak Cultures Museum (BCM) as a model to establish galleries at Forts Lily and Sylvia.
Source: Sarawak greenlights plan for Dayak body to manage Brooke-era forts as cultural hubs | Malay Mail
