Scholars urged to study Sarawak's history before Brooke rule

Sarawak's history before the rule of the Brooke dynasty deserves deeper study, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the state minister for tourism, creative industries and performing arts.

Archaeological and historical evidence in Santubong points to significant human activity and early civilisation predating the Brooke era, he said. Popular accounts, however, often begin with James Brooke and give limited attention to earlier local political and social systems.

Abdul Karim urged historians, universities and researchers to investigate the period before Brooke rule began in the mid-1800s. He made the remarks to reporters after the PASS 2026 International Sarawak History Conference in Kuching.