Sarawak eyes another Unesco nod

The Star

25-06-2025

SARAWAK could soon have another Unesco world heritage site after the Mulu and Niah national parks.
The state is pursuing the nomination of the Fort Trails for possible recognition as an intangible cultural heritage under Unesco.
A total of 23 historical forts were built in Sarawak during the Brooke era but only 14 remain standing today.
The state regards the surviving structures and the intangible cultural heritage linked to them as a vital part of Sarawak's identity.
The surviving forts are Fort Margherita in Kuching, which was built in 1879, Fort Sylvia (1880, Kapit), Fort Emma (1851, Kanowit), Fort Lily (1858, Betong), Fort Alice (1849, Sri Aman), Fort Arundell (1912, Lubok Antu), Fort Charles (1895, Kabong), Fort Brooke (1935, Julau), Fort Lio Mato (1911, Marudi), Fort Long Akah (1929, Marudi), Fort Hose (1898, Marudi) and Old Fort (1897, Limbang).
Sarawak Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan brought up the matter during a recent courtesy visit to the Unesco headquarters in Paris.
The ministry considers the Fort Trails as more than just architectural conservation, as it also embodies the oral traditions and collective memories of Sarawak's multi-ethnic communities.
'The forts were often built with the support of local communities who contributed belian timber, labour, food and knowledge of the terrain. Their stories have been passed down through generations,' Snowdan said in a statement.
He said the ministry would collaborate with the National Heritage Department, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Malaysia's Permanent Delegation to Unesco to pursue the recognition.
He also shared Sarawak's aspirations during a meeting with Fumiko Ohinata, the secretary of the Unesco Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, noting plans to eventually nominate other cultural practices from the state's 34 ethnic communities.
The surviving forts located across Sarawak boast a rich cultural heritage.
Fort Lily
Fort Lily is a historical fort in the town of Betong and the oldest in Sarawak. It was built in 1858 by James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak, as a government administrative centre and to provide protection from attacks by Iban warriors led by Rentap.
The origin of its name is unknown. Later, it was used as a police station and as government offices before becoming vacant.
Fort Charles
Named after the second Rajah, Charles Brooke, Fort Charles was built in 1879 in Kabong.
It was the second fort to be built in Kabong, the first also bearing the same name. That fort was washed into the sea in 1893 due to a sudden high tide and was subsequently abandoned, although it had been strengthened a few months before the incident to withstand the monsoon. The fort was later replaced in 1895 and the building is still standing despite being built over 100 years ago.
It still serves the same purpose as the government administrative centre for the Kabong district.
Fort Sylvia
Fort Sylvia is now a museum showcasing the history and cultural heritage of Kapit.
Fort Sylvia was built in 1878 and still serves as a landmark in Kapit town. It was originally called Fort Kapit before being renamed in the 1920s after Ranee Sylvia, the wife of the third Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke.
According to historical accounts, the Brooke administration had authorised the construction of a fort at Sungai Baleh before 1874.
A fort was needed because there was only one government outpost at Sungai Ngeman, which was quite a distance from Sungai Baleh.
The Brooke administration had hoped that the new fort would control the migration of the Ibans to Baleh.
However in 1877, Charles Brooke nearly drowned near the Baleh Fort when his steamer was swept against the riverbank by strong currents. The fort was ordered to be demolished and Fort Sylvia was built to take over its functions.
Construction started in 1878 and the wooden structure was completed two years later.
The fort, which stands in the heart of Kapit town, previously served as a government administrative centre. It is now a museum showcasing the history and cultural heritage of Kapit.
Fort Margherita stands on a bank of the Sarawak River in Kuching. The Brooke government strategically located the fort at the highest point of the river to guard against enemy attack.
Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita in Kuching was built in 1879 and named after Ranee Margaret, the wife of the second Rajah, Charles Brooke.
The Brooke government strategically located the fort at the highest point of the Sarawak River to guard against enemy attack.
The original fort was located near the former Police Field Force Brigade headquarters and was built with local materials.
Fort Margherita came under heavy attack during World War II from Japanese air raids in December 1941.
This three-storey fort has the shape of a square with a bastion protruding from the left side.
Under Charles Brooke, it was used as a defensive fort for the army, an armoury store, a prison and central control.
Seen from the entrance is a room which was previously used as an office while the upper floor was the quarters for the guards. To the left of the office are two cells for prisoners.
Fort Margherita was once a police museum and now houses the Brooke Gallery.
Fort Emma
Fort Emma, located in Kanowit, was constructed of belian wood and bamboo in 1859. It was initially erected to inhibit the numerous raids by the local Ibans on the Rajang Melanaus and other ethnic groups. The rectangular building immortalises the name of James Brooke's sister.
During the Japanese occupation, Fort Emma was the nerve centre of the entire district.
Fort Emma remains a sight to behold, standing on high ground and overlooking the surrounding area.
Fort Emma in Kanowit is built from belian wood and bamboo.
Fort Alice
Originally known Fort James, this fort was built in 1849 in Skrang. The fort was moved by Charles Brooke in 1864 to Sri Aman due to the strategic location. It was later renamed Fort Alice after his wife, Ranee Margaret Alice.
The fort was used as an administrative centre, jail, court, the centre of defence and hospital during the Brooke era.
It now houses the Sri Aman Heritage Museum, showcasing the history of the fort building and events that influenced the history of Sri Aman.
Fort Arundell
The fort was named in honour of the Resident of Sri Aman, Gilbert Roger Harris Arundell, in appreciation of his kindness to the Iban community. He was killed in Ulu Ai in 1942 during a Japanese attack in World War II.
It is now an administrative centre housing various government agencies.
Fort Brooke
Located in Nanga Meluan, Julau, this fort is entirely built from belian wood. It originally housed the Brooke administration's police and troops, including officials sent to safeguard government activities and security. The fort was also once used as a sub-district office and police station.
A graphic showing the location of some of the forts in Sarawak.
Fort Lio Mato
This fort, built in 1918 once served as an administration centre and court by locals at Lio Mato. During the 1963 Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation, it was used as a defence against intruding Indonesian troops. It is located about 50km from the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
Fort Long Akah
It was built in 1929 as an administrative centre during the Brooke era. It later served as a base camp for British soldiers defending the Baram area against the Japanese Occupation.
The fort was also used as a centre to teach locals how to read and write English.
Fort Hose
Built in 1898, Fort Hose is situated on a bank of Sungai Baram in Marudi. According to the Sarawak Museum Department, it was used to monitor the activities of the rebels who opposed Brooke rule.
In 1899, a peace accord between the local ethnic groups was held at the fort, followed by the Baram regatta.
The building was however destroyed by fire in 1994. It was rebuilt in 1996 and converted into the Baram District Museum. Among the exhibits are ethnography and the history and heritage of the local communities such as Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Penan.