KUCHING, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Historians, universities, and researchers have been urged to look beyond the Brooke administration era to uncover and better understand Sarawak’s rich history.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said more effort is needed to study the state’s history before the Brooke dynasty arrived in the mid-19th century.
He pointed out that historical and archaeological evidence in the Santubong area showed significant human activity and an early civilisation predating the Brooke era.
“Our history does not start from Brooke. I say this because many of our history books focus on how Rajah Brooke came here and became the Rajah of Sarawak from a faraway place.
“But not much information is given to the public about what happened before that.
“There was already a system of government in Sarawak, and there was a system of civilisation which had already been here,” he told reporters after attending the International Conference on Sarawak History (PASS) 2026 here today.
-- BERNAMA