MIRI: Niah Caves will be developed to boost its potential as an archaeological attraction. State Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that the state government plans to develop a canopy walkway at Niah Caves. “We do not want to disturb the jungle, so this will be up in the trees. People can walk to the cave,” he explained during a press conference following the opening of an International Conference on Archaeology (ICA) 2019 at Pullman Miri Waterfront here, yesterday.
He said the state government might even consider greater allocations for archaeological research. Abdul Karim highlighted the excavation efforts of Associate Professor Dr Darren Curnoe of University of New South Wales in Trader’s Cave over the past two years, uncovering new archaeological findings which indicated pre-historic human habitation in Niah Cave 65,000 years ago.
“We are trying to get Niah Caves listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. We have many caves here in Sarawak, and only one has been accorded this status – Mulu Cave,” he stated.
In comparing the two cave systems, Abdul Karim said that there had been no known inhabitants in Mulu Cave, while discoveries of habitation in Niah Caves have excited many in the archaeological field. He also pointed out that Niah Caves were easily accessible – tourists can drive to the cave complex from Miri. However, visitors have to fly in to visit Mulu Cave. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture deputy secretary-general Saraya Arbi remarked that the ministry was committed to helping the state government in getting Niah Caves listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“If Niah Caves gets listed, Sarawak will be the first state to have two Unesco World Heritage sites,” she said. Abdul Karim commended the efforts of the organisers, the National Department for Culture and Arts and the Sarawak Museum Department, in gathering numerous archaeological experts for ICA 2019 with the purpose of promoting archaeology. Also present were the National Department for Culture and Arts deputy director-general Mesran Mohd Yusop, State Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, permanent secretary to the State Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Hii Chang Kee, and Sarawak Museum Department acting director Suria Bujang.
