Appeal to CM to DECLARE GAMBIER RD. A POTENTIAL ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE

0800 hr. 13th July 2009

Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Abdul Taib Mahmud
Ketua Menteri Sarawak.

I do urgently appeal to your good office to immediately declare the Gambier Street old market site a potential archeological site, as well as instructing.

1. The Kuching Police to protect the site as such immediately;
2. The Museum Department to take over the site to commence archeological investigations as to the presence or otherwise of archeological relics beneath the recently demolished buildings at Gambier Street old market.

The demolition contractors must stop their work immediately, and the decision to demolish the old Garment building which is still standing, to be reviewed.

Following my repeated appeals to save the Gambier old market historic buildings failed, I received information on Sunday 12th July 2009 that beneath the podium supporting the demolished Government Information Service Building, there are clues to potential archeological relics.

On a site visit last night, I found two small openings at two diametrically opposite corners of the said podium. Through these openings, can be seen what appears to be underground cellars/chambers lined neatly by bricks and possible brick archways. I have taken photographs of the finds.

Thus it is the duty of the government to investigate and prove the presence or otherwise of valuable archeological and historic relics of the Rajah Brooke era. Professional archeologic investigation must be carried out by the Museum Department with a view to establish the presence or otherwise of :

1. A much more extensive subterranean infrastructure than is visible to me through the two small openings of the said podium;
2. Relics such as munition stores and other official assets hidden therein.

The riverside embankment protecting the old market buildings also have tell-tale signs which warrant investigations.

If necessary, the expertise of Museum Negara or foreign resources should be drawn upon.

These I trust your good office to carry out in public and state interests. I have simultaneously made a police report at Central Police station this morning to seek immediate Police protection.

Yours truly,
YB Dominique Ng
Member representing Padungan,
Council Negeri, (State Legislature)
Sarawak.

Cc.
UNESCO,
Paris.