Visit deals with heritage, culture preservation of RCBM Settlement
KUCHING: A delegation from the Heritage Society of Rajah Charle s Brooke Memorial ( RCBM) Hospital recently paid a courtesy call on Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
Led by honorary patron Lo Khere Chiang, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, the delegation introduced the Heritage Society of RCBM Hospital to the minister during the visit, said a media statement on Thursday.
Among those present were Dato Lim Kian Hock from Sarawak Tourism Federation, Ipoi Datan and Dyg Morzanah from Sarawak Museum Department, Jong from Kuching District Of fice, and Rangen from Padawan District Office.
The visit was also to inform on efforts in preserving and conserving the heritage and culture of the RCBM Settlement and the humanitarian welfare of the Hansenite community.
RCBM Hospital was recently awarded the Noti fication of Preservation for Historical Bui ldings under Sarawak Cultural Heritage Ordinance 1993 so it is to be listed as a local heritage site.
“It is critical to look at it as a potential tourism boost for Sarawak, its location is marked on the tourism calendar as part of the Heritage Trail of Padawan,” the statement pointed out.
A short slide presentation by president of the Heritage Society of RCBM Hospital, Angelina Jong covered the history of the RCBM Settlement since its inception in 1925, the history of leprosy and its colonies on Borneo Island, and plans for developing the area as a local heritage site.