30Aug

First Lotud museum opens in Tuaran

TUARAN: In officially opening the new Borneo Lotud Meseum here on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament for Tuaran, Datuk Madius Tangau said that the new heritage centre should become a source for cultural education for all people, especially the Lotuds. He foresees the museum to become another of the already many tourism attractions in Tuaran, while congratulating the museum initiator and owner, the Sabah Lotud Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by its president Pediman Jabau, for having started the museum quietly on its own without external funding. “The chamber has been very successful in part due to its ability to work with the government departments and agencies,” said Tangau who is also the state Minister of Trade and Industry. In his speech, Pediman said it was indeed a historic day with the launching of the Museum Lotud Borneo which is intended to exhibit as many as possible the still available Lotud community’s objects of the cultural heritages. “This is important for the benefit of the Lotud people themselves, especially members of the younger generation who, because of modernity, are no longer using a lot of old implements and instruments such as those for padi planting, for their livelihood,” he said. “The other heritage worth keeping are the many items used in the rituals of the old religion, now that the new generation of Lotuds have already converted to non-traditional religions. “Because of this, I am requesting for support from all Lotuds to contribute to the value of this museum by contributing whatever instruments of the old days to this museum. Rather than throwing them away or allowing them to rot, we may as well keep them in this museum for the benefit of future generation, even as 100 or 200 years from now,” Pediman added. “I promise that every item will be duly marked with the name of its contributor so the contributor’s descendants may one day see the items and be very proud that such items belong to their ancestors.” He also appealed for support for the new Lotud flag which was raised by Madius during the occasion. “This is the first time that we in the community created a special flag to symbolise ourselves and our culture in the form of a flag which we in the old days called ‘tunggul’,” he explained. Pediman also sought funding from Tangau’s ministry to finance a research project to identity ways to improve the entrepreneurial performance of the Lotud community. Pediman who runs an insurance firm and property ventures from his shophouse in Tuaran township, while running his three-storey museum cum office and Bayangkan Café at the Berungis Commercial Centre, has been officially recognised with awards at the state level as the most successful Lotud entrepreneur.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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26Mar

Yes! 90pc museum pieces ‘hidden’

Kota Kinabalu: A former Sabah Museum Director has confirmed a Daily Express report that up to 90 per cent of historical exhibits meant for public viewing have been locked away for ages due to lack of space to display them. "It's time to have a new museum building," said Datuk Jamdin Buyong, who served as its Director for three years from 1994 to 1996. He also proposed that the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall be turned into a city museum while the old Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) building and the Turnbull Hall at Sabah College be established as a Broadcasting Museum and Education Museum, respectively. "The more network of museums we have, the better," he said, adding that many historical items surrendered to the museum never saw the light of day as they were immediately stored in the museum's conservation centre, to the disappointment of those who parted with them. Jamdin believes that the Government can make it happen if it really wants, including having a Chinese Cultural Gallery which was also a concept that he had toyed with representatives from Chinese cultural organisations. He said the proposed gallery could be established in the State Museum or managed by the private sector. Recently, the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) said it was willing to undertake the setting up of the Chinese Heritage Museum in the State. Awarded the "Tokoh Budaya Sabah" in 2002, Jamdin stressed the importance of preserving buildings or sites which have high historical value in Sabah, aware that in the past many such buildings and sites were demolished to make way for infrastructure development. "In my own village in Putatan, there was a mosque and Chinese temple which are old and unique. But their original structure was not preserved during renovation." He also recalled that before he became the Director, a big mansion in Kinarut built in 1910 was left to ruins and was a target of treasure hunters. "What's left to be preserved were some pillars and walls that are still standing. "This was a piece of important history that takes us back to the days of the Chartered Company," stressed Jamdin, who immediately took measures to preserve and gazette the building as a historical heritage. Another building of historical value that was nearly demolished was the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre. He said it was strong objection on his part as State Museum Director and brave reporting by the Daily Express that prevented such fate. He remembers one of the Daily Express front page headlines in 1996 screaming "No Way". The State Government eventually backed down from demolishing it. Jamdin revealed for the first time that his strong stand for the sake of Sabah cost him the Director job as he was soon transferred out. [Daily Express understands that a particular Minister exacted revenge on Jamdin as a shopping complex he promised to a developer could not materialise due to the objection. Ironically, this politician is now in the opposition supposedly fighting to save Sabah. The KK Community Centre was one of the earliest public structures to be built after the war and was designed by pioneer architect Billings Leong. It was the venue for Cobbold Commission hearings on the wishes of the people to the Malaysia proposal. It was also where late Donald Stephens (later Tun Fuad) tried and failed to persuade Dusuns to drop that name and go under the calling of Kadazans. It is believed that Stephens intention in doing so was to justify for himself a place on the Malaysia negotiating table as leader of the non-Muslim natives, seeing that the Dusuns under Sedomon were against the Malaysia proposal, and hence not in the good books of the British and eventually sidelined. When the Dusuns (especially interior natives) still maintained their stand even a year after independence through the formation of Malaysia on 16.9.1963, a compromise to win them over was effected with the erection of an oath stone (Batu Sumpah) where the Federal Government promised to honour through the key words "Kerajaan Malaysia Jamin (Malaysian Government guarantees)" three of the 20 points safeguards that mattered to them most, i.e. on religious freedom, adat (customs) and land. The KK Community Centre was also where the then PBS Government under Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (now Tan Sri) announced that it was ditching the Barisan Nasional coalition on the eve of general elections in 1990 that led to Umno taking over the State administration within four years]. Meanwhile, Jamdin praised the government of the day for wanting to gazette seven more state heritage sites to make the total to 31 to date. He noted that the seven sites to be gazetted are the old RTM building, Turnbull Hall at Sabah College, Kent Teachers Training Centre in Tuaran, Tinagat lighthouse in Tawau and the Melalap train station in Tenom. He also noted that among the sites which have been gazetted as Sabah's historical heritage are the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre, the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Kota Kinabalu old post office, Mat Salleh monument in Tambunan and the Bukit Tengkorak archeological site in Semporna. In April last year, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming told the State Assembly that two new museums were being developed in Kudat and Ranau, which would be an addition to the existing 11 museums and galleries in Sabah. Source: Daily Express
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31Jan

Kota Marudu sculptor expresses “hope” through art

Art is inherently beautiful. And art made by local artist contains invaluable intimations and perceptions of occasions, circumstances, and societies, writes Vesta Vanessa Jsol. Visitors who visit the on-going ‘The 300 Exhibition – Chapter II’ at Sabah Art Gallery will definitely be amazed by hundreds of wonderful artwork, especially those ten tiny boat sculptures made from iron. Neatly arranged around the exhibition hall on the first floor, the dark-silvered coloured sculptures seem like they are telling something – an untold story. Curious to know what is behind those ‘boats,’ this New Sabah Times reporter decided to find and interview its sculptor, Rayner Goluhing. “Hope,” the 29-year-old artist answered when asked about the theme of his creation. Rayner who hails from Kota Marudu, said that those boats represent hope in people’s daily life. “Every single day, each one of us might face different difficulties in our life. As an artist, I see that we (people) are swimming in the vast ocean, tired against the waves, longing for shelter and that boat will be our last hope to survive. “I purposely create it in ten units with different sizes and shapes, symbolizing people’s hopes huge or small, strong or fragile.” He took about a month to finish the ‘boats’ series. “It’s not that hard to produce, but it does take time to finish.” Currently, he is working with Sabah Handicraft Centre (Keningau). His love of iron sculpture started since his childhood but only took it seriously in 2009 after he received an offer to further his studies in Bachelor of Creative Arts at a local university. “These few years of my life were surrounded by pieces of iron, sprockets, barbed wire and fences that I turned into art. Some of the artworks were used as decorations in office lobbies, some hung here at the art exhibition hall and some ended up as house decorations. “Sculpting is fun, especially with pieces which have been tossed out and deemed no longer of value. I found beauty in discarded pieces of metal. “I thanked God for giving me a wife who loves art too,” he quipped. Rayner and his two colleagues, Roslan Yusof, 42, and Alfred Paladius, 30, represented Sabah Handicraft Centre (Keningau) to exhibit their creations. Roslan showcased batik painting themed ‘Sabah Nature’, while Alfred presented a series of drawings entitled ‘Valley.’ However, their artworks are just parts of the exhibition. There are more attractions that can be found by visiting the hall in person. In the exhibition opening ceremony held recently, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said that locals need to support home-grown artists in order to ensure the continuity of the local art scene. He said that the lack of support for local artists may hinder their motivation to create fine masterpieces. “If we do not support our local talents, they will feel demotivated and our local art scene may face the risk of dying out. Give them encouragement so they can do better in the future and continue making art.” Masidi added that locals should not only attend art exhibitions, but purchase the works of local artists as they are valuable in the long run. “Many works produced by our local artists are of high quality. It is never a loss to invest in high quality artworks because its value only increases with time.” He also reminded artists not to be easily demotivated by the lack of support, as it is all part of their journey in the field. “We have a lot of talented artists, but we always underestimate their talents. We are more willing to spend thousands on foreign artworks when the quality of those artists may not be on par with our local talents. “I urge local artists to always keep your heads high whenever people doubted you for they are road bumps that you have to face in reaching your full potential.” Following the success of its first installation in 2015, The 300 Exhibition – Chapter II features 300 artworks of 30 local artists from around Sabah. Themed ‘Bawah Bayu,’ featured artworks will be exhibited for three months at the gallery. Sabah Art Gallery curator Jennifer Linggi said the theme was intended to promote Sabahan culture and heritage, which would inadvertently boost tourism in the state. She also expressed hope that the exhibition will encourage more local artists to take part in Sabah’s art programmes to increase credibility in management and implementation. “This programme also mirrors the determination of local artists in organising academic art-related events,” she added. Artworks featured at The 300 Exhibition – Chapter II are for sale at RM300 a piece.   Source: New Sabah Times
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08Jan

Build museum that showcases cultural integration – Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Build a new museum that reflects the harmonious cultural integration among the people in Sabah, suggested Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. Masidi said the suggestion to turn the burned-down old building next to Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) in the city is not possible as the site is tied up with some legal issues. “I am sure the Chinese community can find a place to put up the museum. I am sure the state government will be very considerate and, probably, in giving the land at a nominal cost,” he told the press at the launch of CAMACA at Jalan Dewan here yesterday. “But generally, I would prefer that we have a new museum complex, bigger area with a lot of sections. “We are noted for tolerance, we are noted for unity. I think we should reflect that in our museum. You can have your Kadazan section, the Chinese section, Murut section but, I think, personally, as a single unit of museum because that is Sabah,” he added. Masidi reckoned that talks of having a dedicated museum could spark other demands and requests that would not end. “So, let’s get our priority straight. Whatever we do in Sabah, I think it should reflect the harmonious nature in the integration of people in Sabah and that should include the museum,” he explained. The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president, Tan Sri TC Goh, had expressed the association’s readiness to set up the proposed Chinese Heritage Museum for Sabah should the state government give the green light. Goh said this in welcoming the recent call made by Kapayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi, urging the government to turn the burned-down old building next to Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) into a Chinese Heritage Museum. Special Tasks Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang also welcomed the proposal and said the state government would be willing to facilitate the implementation of the meaningful project, which had actually been put into action during the tenure of former FCAS president, the late Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar. On another development, Masidi anticipates that the state would probably receive the tourism tax disbursements from the federal government under a different name on the basis of giving back to the state. “It should be more than what we expect but it is up to us to tell them that we need this money to do promotions, for example, and they will give it to us, which may, ultimately, be more than what we ask for,” he hoped. When it comes to the tourism, Masidi said growth will largely depend on the availability of hotels in Sabah.   Source: Borneo Post
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14Sep

Oath stone brings focus to Keningau Heritage Museum

ASIDE from being known as a town in interior Sabah, Keningau is not known for much else. But this looks likely to change with a decision that will result in having a piece of Malaysian history permanently placed there. Earlier this week, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup announced that the ‘oath stone’ (or Batu Sumpah) that pledges the support for Malaysia by the people of ‘interior Sabah’ will be placed permanently at the Heritage Museum (Musium Warisan) in Keningau. The stone was planted in the compound of the Keningau District Office for many years. It caught widespread attention when someone uprooted it and returned it sometime later with some inscriptions chiseled off. An uproar ensued because the words ‘ugama bebas dalam Sabah’ had been removed. After interventions by numerous parties, the new-look stone which will find its home at the Keningau Heritage Museum will have all the original wordings of the stone, except that they are now etched in a metal sheet mounted on a stone. So much about the stone; but what about its new home? The Keningau Heritage Museum was established in 2008 and is located at what was formerly a government rest house built in 1946 and completed in 1947. The rest house was built by the Borneo Construction Company Ltd. It lays claim that many Malaysian luminaries such as Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak, had visited Keningau and stayed at this historic rest house. Today, visitors can view various aspects of Keningau’s history, covering the culture, history, zoology, ethno-botany and sports. What used to be probably the only place to spend a night for visiting government officials 50 years ago has been turned into a local museum that houses numerous historical collections dating back to the colonial days, ranging from artifacts and old photographs. Some of these items were donated by either expatriates who used to live here or by descendants of famous families of the area. There are two large antique Chinese jars donated by a man who claimed that spirits live within. A guest at his house claimed he saw the image of a lady emerging from one of the jars. The owner, sold to a common local belief that many old jars are the abode of spirits, decided that he did not want them anymore in his house and donated them to the museum. Other amusing exhibits are some photos of a beauty queen (Ms Julita Angian) of Keningau in 1958 including a recent photo of her. All in all, the Keningau Heritage Museum is certainly one of a kind a good way to spend a morning or an afternoon, especially when there’s someone at hand to share a tale or two about the origins of the oath stone. To the uninitiated, Keningau can be accessed via the Kimanis Road, or following the recommendation of this writer, via the town of Dongongon in Penampang and up through the cool of the Crocker Range to Tambunan, with its terraced rice fields, and then to the central valley of Keningau. This route, is about 131km and between two and a half hours drive or more, depending on the number of stops you make and traffic. A large number of lorries still use this route when transporting goods to and from the interior. Keningau was known for logging and some downstream timber industries. Oil palm dominates the landscape. The town itself has a reputation of being ill-planned. One former chief minister labelled it a ‘rojak town’ some years ago. The majority of Keningau’s inhabitants are Dusuns and Muruts with a sprinkling of Chinese and many recent Indonesian immigrants. Keningau gets its name from Kendingau, which is the local name for the spice “cinnamon”. This used to be collected and exported worldwide during colonial times. Keningau has also bred many of our local leaders who were instrumental to our independence from colonial rule, and the formation of Sabah as part of Malaysia. Source : New Sabah Times
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