Celebration planned to mark 200 years of Bau gold mining history – Rep

KUCHING: Plans are being made to celebrate 200 years of gold mining history in Bau this Dec 31, said Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.

He said the celebration will proceed once experts have verified that gold mining activities did begin in Bau in 1820, adding that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has been invited to grace the event which will be held during the day and followed by a New Year countdown at night.

“I have read about the gold mining history in Bau and found that it started way back in 1820. So we want to take this opportunity and do a symbolic celebration because we won’t be able to mark 200 years once it’s 2021,” he told reporters when met a ‘Trash to Cash’ drivethru recycling event in Bau yesterday.

He added that a symposium on gold mining in Bau will be held prior to the celebration – to be attended by historians, consultants and representatives from the Sarawak Museum and state Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

On the recycling event, Henry said it was organised for the first time by Bau District Council to ensure Bau remains clean, green and beautiful.

“Bau has a population of 62,000 which produces some 60 tonnes of waste daily – equivalent to 1kg per person.

“With the programme, we can reduce 30 per cent from that amount and the council is working hard to ensure garbage bins which are full are cleared regularly, especially with the festive season approaching and in view of the insufficient number of bins,” he said.

The event saw residents driving up to the designated booths and dropping off recyclable materials in exchange for cash.

Among those present at the event were Local Government and Housing Ministry deputy permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan, acting Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi, Bau District Council deputy chairman William Ding and Bau District Council secretary Simon Wong.