KUCHING: The state government is committed to preserve and promote its local indigenous culture and identity despite it pursuing the development of a digital economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state wants the Federal Constitution to be amended, to include all natives in the race columns instead of label them as "lain-lain" (others).
"We cannot continue to call them "bangsa lain-lain" as there is no such thing. Besides, Sarawak actually has more than 27 ethnic groups and some are not even listed. That's why we want the Federal Constitution to be amended," he said.
"We also need to have more research, which can help bring to the fore the richness of Sarawak's cultural diversity and strengthen our identity," he said.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government has consented to the establishment of the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Chair, who during his lifetime, had been a great leader and proponent of the elements of arts and culture.
It is hoped that by establishing the research chair at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak Campus in Bintulu, it would be possible to develop the university as a research centre to focus on Borneo ethnicities in Sarawak, such as cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic elements, he said.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Inauguration of the 2nd International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities 2021 and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange between Sarawak government and UPM on the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Chair, held here today.
He said the research chair will serve as a hub for collecting data on cultural heritage and treasures from diverse ethnic groups in Sarawak and Borneo, which otherwise would be abandoned or forgotten.
The university will also take the lead in ethnicity research in Sarawak, particularly on culture, language, human thinking, customs, art and traditional heritage.
"I hope the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Chair would drive research efforts and uphold the unique identity and richness of Borneo's indigenous cultural heritage at the international level."
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the research chair is the university's tribute to the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, a former chief minister, who brought progress to the Sarawakian communities in the name of unity, regardless of race or religion.
He said it is hoped that the Borneo ethnic 'database' can be realised with an initial injection of RM2.54 million for the first three years for the research chair.
"We hope the funds provided by the state government can be used in research, especially for the development of the Sarawakian communities. The research findings will ultimately guide the state in formulating its policies."