THE Sarawak government has submitted rare, historical manuscripts found in ancient village sites in the state to Unesco to be listed as world heritage documents. The manuscripts were handwritten by historical figures during the days of the Malay kingdoms in Lawas and Limbang.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassa said the manuscripts were in the care of the Sarawak Malay Cultural Foundation Charity Trust Board. They are considered Sarawak Heritage Documents.
“We now want them to be also listed under Unesco as world heritage documents in recognition of the importance of ancient Sarawak Malay literature. We have submitted a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco),” he said.
The rare manuscripts are the “Hikayat Panglima Nikosa” found in 1876; “Syair Datu Marapati” (1885); and the Limbang and Lawas manuscripts (early 1900s). He said the writings are about community laws, local traditions, poems, and village stories.
Sarawak already has the Mulu caves in the Baram district listed as a Unesco Natural World Heritage site. Mulu, about 200km inland from Miri city, has the largest natural cave chambers in the world that can fit up to 40 Boeing 737 aircraft.
The Niah caves in Miri are expected to be recognised soon as a Unesco Natural World Heritage site. The bones of a 60,000-year-old human were discovered at the site. – May 10, 2024
