Chinese Museum proposed at site where colonial history was created
Published on: Tuesday, January 02, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Kapayan Assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi urged the government to turn the burned-down old building next to HSBC where the historical transfer of the colony from the North Borneo Chartered Company to the Crown took place in 1946 into a Chinese museum. "It used (later) to be the office of the Social Welfare Department. I believe this is the most appropriate thing to do since it will remove the eyesore structure and add another tourist attraction in Kota Kinabalu," he said, while suggesting that the original architectural design of the building be retained.The Borneo Territories of Sarawak and Sabah were the very last additions to Britain's colonial empire before the process of decolonisation kicked in two years later starting with independence for India.
ADVERTISEMENT
This was confirmed in the book "White Headhunter of Borneo" by Stephen Holley, Sabah's first State Secretary and a Malaysia Agreement signatory.Dr Bosi, who is Parti Anak Negeri Penampang Chief, said he had raised the idea of a museum for the Sabah Chinese in the State Assembly. I remember telling the August House that the history of the Chinese community in Sabah will help our younger generation understand the origin of the Chinese of Sabah", he said. Dr Bosi said he remembers very vividly Chinese women with black dress and big round hat peddling their food and drinks at the Papar train station. "My favourite was the hard boiled eggs with thick soya sauce.
ADVERTISEMENT
Suddenly they disappeared into thin air. "I also read a book where there was a strong Chinese presence in Tawau working in the coal mine at Silimpopon, Kalabakan".
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr Bosi said he knew a little of the origin of the Chinese in Sabah through a brief narration by our Chinese friends during a simple ceremony to embrace the Chinese community at Kg Tinangol Matunggung early this year by Parti Anak Negeri. The ceremony included a simple ritual of sharing the bun or "pau". According to them the Chinese first came to Sabah via Kudat. A museum for the Sabah Chinese community will go a long way to recognise them for their contributions to the development and well being of Sabah. I am sure the museum will be a big hit among Malaysians especially Sabahans and the thousands of visitors from all over the world especially from China and Taiwan.Dr Bosi said that there are many mixed marriages in Sabah and the word sino-native is common. Our Chinese and sino-native children in Sabah may use this Museum as one of the ways to trace their ancestry in China or Taiwan. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
