BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI & ELLISIA TINGASS
KUCHING: The Chinese History Museum, located at the Kuching Waterfront in Kuching, has become a popular place to visit for both local residents and tourists.
After a temporary closure for maintenance, the museum recently reopened to the public on May 30.
Originally built in 1912, the museum is housed in a historic building that served as a court for the Chinese community from 1912 to 1921.
In 1930, the Sarawak Chinese General Chamber of Commerce took over the building and later renovated it, transforming it into the Chinese History Museum in 1993.
The museum’s main goal is to showcase the interesting history of Sarawak, focusing on the diverse Chinese communities, their traditional skills, cultural heritage, and their contributions to the modern, multi-ethnic society of Sarawak.
To gather insights into the museum’s attractions, New Sarawak Tribune interviewed visitors who had the chance to explore the exhibits.
SHARON NG, 27, Graduate
“Today I came here with my aunt because we want to learn more about Chinese history. This is my first time visiting this museum, and it’s interesting to be here. I also get to learn about the Chinese dialect and the history of our ancestors, how they came to Sarawak.”
WOO YUEN YEE, 54, Retiree
“I am from Hong Kong and currently on vacation here. So, I took the opportunity to visit this museum and gain a better understanding of the different cultures of people from China who come here and hire local people for work as they do business. Additionally, I learned that some Chinese individuals work on farms apart from running businesses.”
LO KEM YUEN, 57, Retiree
“By visiting this museum, I learned about my ancestors and how they, as immigrants a long time ago, managed to make a living through hard work.”
DORA JEE, 61, Retiree
“I visited this museum with my grandchildren to introduce them to Chinese culture and the history of our ancestors. Moreover, since my grandchildren live in Singapore, I took the opportunity to bring them here.”
