(Abdul Karim sounds the gong to open the conference. From left are Amelia, Husaini, Ghauth, and Bujang.)

BINTULU: Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu campus (UPMKB) is planning more research and activities, especially on anthropology, including art, culture, and heritage under the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (Tok Nan) Research Chair.

UPMKB director Prof Dr Bujang Kim Huat said the Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology (Cala) 2020 being held here until Saturday (Feb 8) is one of the events. “Apart from that we have also contacted the family of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and they have been very generous and granted us permission to set up Gallery Tok Nan.

“This gallery will exhibit many of Tok Nan’s private collection, achievements, and hopes under custodianship of Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman,” Bujang said during the opening ceremony yesterday.

Mohamad Maulana is UPMKB senior lecturer and head of the Strategic and Corporate Communication Division. Bujang thanked the Sarawak government for endowing about RM2 million to the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Research Chair.

“The Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Research Chair in UPM Bintulu campus is a form of appreciation from the higher education institution towards the late Tok Nan’s endeavour to preserve harmony in Sarawak among the various ethnic groups in Borneo,” he said.

According to Bujang, Sarawakians still remember vividly Tok Nan’s contributions and sacrifices and Adenan continues to be widely respected by all levels of society because he was a people-oriented leader for all.

“In his efforts to preserve ethnic identity in Borneo, he had succeeded in removing the term ‘others’ in the declaration of race identity in Sarawak,” he added. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at the conference.

Among those present were UPM board of directors chairman Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon, Bintulu Deputy Resident Husaini Hakim, and Business Events Sarawak chief operating officer Amelia Roziman.

Tarikh Input: 10/02/2020 | Kemaskini: 10/02/2020 | lanz