Attending the talk on "Interpreting Borneo in Britain and Sarawak"

I had attended a wonderful talk on "Interpreting Borneo in Britain and Sarawak" which was held at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) in Kuching over the weekend and it serves more than a presentation of research findings but as a platform for reflection on how we can work together across institutions and borders. 

It was delivered by Dr Jennifer Morris, who is the Borneo Research Fellow and Henry Ginsburg Curator for Southeast Asia at the British Museum. Also present at the talk was Dr. Alexandra Green, the Curator for Southeast Asia at the British Museum.

In my opening speech, I have mentioned that Sarawak is positioning itself as an equal partner in international heritage research, focusing on cross-border collaboration, community engagement and the responsible interpretation of Borneo’s cultural collections. 

We welcome such initiatives which reflect Sarawak’s readiness to engage meaningfully with international institutions while safeguarding its cultural heritage. I have also mentioned research involving Borneo collections should go beyond academic study, with emphasis placed on cross-border collaboration and shared responsibility in managing heritage materials.

The talk organised by our Sarawak Museum Department had involved researchers and museum professionals from Sarawak and the United Kingdom (UK). The research and collections teams from Sarawak and the British Museum had undertaken extensive work to share information on the Charles Hose collections stored both in Kuching and in the UK. 

We must continue efforts in reconstructing the historical and cultural contexts in which the collections were formed and preserved. I am also delighted to se that this project has not been confined to academic research alone. The community engagement activities conducted in the Baram region last year demonstrate a strong commitment to reconnecting museum collections with source communities. 

Such approach will align closely with Sarawak’s values where heritage research must not be extractive in nature; it must be reciprocal, inclusive and grounded in respect for local knowledge and lived experience.

I have also mentioned on the digitisation of the British Museum’s Charles Hose photographic collection which had significantly improved access to heritage materials. This is because by making the collection available online, it had created a valuable public resource for future research into Sarawak’s history and cultural landscapes. We must continue to encourage heritage research to be done because potentially it can inspire innovation, education and meaningful opportunities for Sarawak’s younger generation. 

Well-researched and responsibly interpreted heritage will enhances Sarawak’s global profile, attracts cultural tourism, and strengthens our sense of identity as a diverse and dynamic society. I also strongly believe that close partnerships between museums, researchers and communities are essential to ensure our cultural narratives are preserved and communicated with accuracy, sensitivity and depth.