KUCHING: Bau, one of Sarawak’s oldest towns, will be celebrating its 200th anniversary on Dec 31.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the historic event.
“Based on historical records and evidences, there were pockets of settlements within the area, which is now Bau town, since early 1820.
“The town was then known as Mau San or Bukit Mau, especially among the gold miners,” he said when chairing a meeting to finalise details for the celebration here on Thursday (Dec 17).
Also present at the meeting were Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik , Acting Resident of Kuching Aneilia Siam , Acting Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi, Deputy Chairman of Bau District Council William Ding, Historians and local community leaders.
Jinep said the bicentennial would also celebrate 200 years of gold mining history in Bau.
He said chief minister would officiate at the celebration during the day but the festivity would be a whole day event right up to the 2021 New Year’s countdown.
Today, Bau, a predominantly Bidayuh town about 33 km from here, with a population of about 62,000 is no longer a gold mining town. It has reinvented itself into an eco-tourism paradise.
It is popular with those who love jungle hiking and mountain climbing. Among the major attractions are its caves, Bung Singai and Bung Jagoi.
