KUCHING: The Borneo Cultures Museum received 41 historical artefacts originating from Borneo from various countries, as a result of handing-over and donations from individuals who kept the collection of antiquities.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said among the historical materials are two Orang Ulu machetes acquired from Duncan Shimwell McDougal, a Brooke-era officer in the 1920s.
According to him, McDougal brought the two machetes to England and remained there until they surfaced at the world-famous Christie's auction house in London in 1994, before being bought by Lim Jit Boo, a Malaysian living in Penang.
Speaking to reporters after the Sarawak Heritage Council meeting today (November 30), Abdul Karim said the museum also received a piece of pua kumbu, the traditional patterned cloth of the Iban community, from an Australian citizen who kept the cloth for his personal collection.
"The rest are various collections of Bidayuh items used in rituals, totalling 19 pieces, an old photograph of people from Sarawak and three old ethnic beads from Borneo," he said.
In a separate development, Abdul Karim said that from tomorrow, tickets for the Borneo Cultures Museum can be purchased online at museum.sarawak.gov.my or www.sarawak.gov.my.
"After purchasing a ticket, visitors can pay through the online banking system, credit card and SPay Global e-wallet. Visitors will receive their QR code ticket instantly via email and through the Sarawak Gov Mobile App and simply scan it for entry," he said.
He explained that the aim is to improve the existing payment system to make it easier and more efficient for visitors. --BERNAMA