Kuching: ADUN for Pending Violet Yong has called for stronger safeguards against the selective preservation of Sarawak’s historical records, stressing that the state’s heritage must be protected from political influence and remain accessible to the public.
Speaking during the debate on the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill 2026, Yong said that historical preservation must be guided by credible evidence, professional standards, and the public interest to ensure that future generations inherit an accurate account of Sarawak’s past.
She said the proposed amendments should not focus solely on strengthening institutional functions and ministerial powers, but also establish clear mechanisms for transparency and accountability.
On ministerial oversight, Yong urged the state government to ensure that directions issued to Pustaka Negeri Sarawak were properly documented and justified, particularly when decisions affected the preservation, classification or public access of historical materials.
Citing the library’s records on British colonial archives, she noted that some documents had been selectively copied or preserved, demonstrating how gaps in archival collections could affect the understanding of history.
Yong also called for greater public participation in preserving community heritage, including family photographs, personal letters, old newspapers and private collections that document Sarawak’s social and cultural development.
She warned that such materials could be permanently lost if families and community organisations lacked accessible channels to submit them for preservation.
On digitalisation, Yong acknowledged existing initiatives such as the Sarawakiana digital collection and Records and Archives Reference Service (RECARS), but urged the state government to establish clear targets, technical standards and timelines to improve access to historical materials.
She said digital archives should enable students, researchers and ordinary Sarawakians, including those in rural areas, to explore the state’s history more conveniently.
Yong further called for adequate funding, professional expertise and regular public reporting on preservation efforts, digitisation progress and collection development.
“Our history belongs to all of us. It must be preserved honestly, inclusively and professionally, without being selectively shaped for political convenience,” she said.
She stressed that the amendments should ultimately deliver tangible improvements in safeguarding Sarawak’s historical heritage for generations to come.
