Tun Mustapha’s house declared a historical site

KOTA KINABALU: A house in Pitas where one of Sabah’s founding leaders, Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun, used to live is being restored by the state Museum Department and will be conserved as a historical building.

Tun Mustapha, as he was fondly known, was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri here.

He also served as the third Chief Minister from 1967 to 1975.

Besides being the founder of the United Sabah National Organisation, he was also wide attributed for the state’s independence.

The pre-war house is one of two structures currently undergoing conservation works, which had begun two years ago.

The other building is a post-war government quarters in Beaufort, said the department’s Antiquity and History Section curator Stella Moo-Tan.

She said that both bungalows’ restoration was were nearly completed.

However, interior designing works for the exhibition areas had not begun.

“We do not know the exact dates when these houses were built.

“Thew house in Pitas was constructed before 1942, while the other quarters was built after 1945.

“We wanted to convert the Pitas house into a historical site because Tun Mustapha was a wartime hero who led a guerilla attack against the Japanese forces.

“The house is already 90 per cent restored. We are now conducting research and gathering materials for the exhibits.”

She added that the Beaufort district office had asked the department to convert the government headquarters into a historical building.

Moo-Tan said the department did not have a deadline for the completion of the state-funded projects.

She said the department had planned a tourism package for the Beaufort house, which would include a trip by railroad as well as a guided tour of the establishment.

She added that the department was also looking to restore other old houses that had historical and cultural value.

Source : New Straits Times