Historians welcome S’wak’s decision to convert Astana into museum

via Borneo Post, 05 July 2023: The Sarawak government’s plan to convert Astana Negeri into a museum is praised by historians, who hope it will retain the original name and become a living museum of the past.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday confirmed that the state government was planning to construct a new Astana Negeri and that the existing Astana building would be converted into a museum.

He said the project falls under the Premier’s Office but believes that planning for the new building was already at an advanced stage and a site has already been identified.

The Astana Negeri was built in 1870 by Brooke as a bridal gift to his wife Margaret Alice Lili de Windt.

It was the third and last residence to be constructed by the Brooke Rajahs, and served as the residence for the reigning Rajah until the Japanese occupation in 1941.

Source: Historians welcome S’wak’s decision to convert Astana into museum