DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Report on Sabah caves for Cabinet, says Rais
05 February, 2007
Kota Kinabatangan: The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry will table in the Cabinet a report on the research and conservation of caves in Sabah.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim said with it, there would be a tendency to assist in the efforts, and expenditures for cultural arts and heritage would no longer be considered a wastage.

“It’s an investment for future generations,” he told reporters after visiting the Agop Batu Tulug archaeological site, here, Sunday.

“In developed countries, their heritage treasures become a gold mine that is turned into powerful attractions not only from the tourism aspect but also in terms of learning and knowledge,” he said.

He said his Ministry would prepare the report which contained research and conservation efforts undertaken by the Sabah Museum Department for submission to the Federal Government so that heritage was viewed as a valuable product of humanity.

Rais said he made the visit to get a closer look at the heritage, especially the caves, in Sabah so that he would be able to convince the Federal Government on studies and efforts to conserve historical places with heritage elements.

“Today, there are people who lack heritage awareness. We should set up a cultural education and information centre to fill the void,” he said.

He also said the Ministry planned to intensify the research on caves around the Kinabatangan Valley and Bukit Tengkorak in Semporna, Sabah, where old coffins were kept.

“Through the effort, we plan to hold an exhibition to tell the history of the area to the public,” he said.

He was sure that about 50 caves in Sabah contained various elements of history and heritage, and they could be studied and turned into national heritage. - Bernama