KUCHING – The Sarawak Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, together with his consort Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi, received a courtesy visit from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak at the State Astana in Petra Jaya.
The meeting took place at 11.00 am and highlighted the university’s latest research on Sarawak’s genealogy and its historical ties with Brunei.
The delegation was led by UiTM Sarawak Rector Prof. Dr Firdaus Abdullah, accompanied by his wife, Puan Siti Nur Aishah binti Jaafar @ Abdullah.
Also present were Deputy Rector Prof. Madya Dr Saimi Bujang, Head of Research Ustaz Haji Wan Ariffin Wan Yon, and Research Assistant Puan Sharifah Nafisah Wan Ariffin. Datu Dr Haji Sanib Said, Chairman of the Sarawak Malay Cultural Foundation Trust and a noted historian, also joined the session.
Central to the visit was the presentation of a study entitled Historiographic Analysis of the Sarawak Genealogy: The Pehin Jamil Sufri Order and its Connection with the Sarawak State Astana Institution.
The research explored the writings of Pehin Jamil al-Sufri, a distinguished historian from Brunei Darussalam, who documented Borneo’s past extensively.
His work positions the Sarawak Genealogy as a living record that underscores the legitimacy of leadership and the historical relationship between Sarawak and Brunei.
The genealogy is regarded as a vital cultural document, linking Sarawak’s leadership to centuries of heritage.
Scholars emphasise that such records are crucial for understanding the continuity of governance and identity across the Borneo Islands.
The UiTM study aims to strengthen this understanding by providing a structured academic analysis that can serve as a reference for future generations.
During the meeting, Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi highlighted the importance of universities in safeguarding local history through research and documentation.
He stressed that higher learning institutions play a pivotal role in ensuring that historical knowledge remains authentic and accessible.
“The role of academia in preserving our heritage is essential for the continuity of identity and legitimacy,” he remarked.
Both Tun Pehin Sri and Toh Puan expressed appreciation to the UiTM team for their dedication. They conveyed hopes that the findings would form a comprehensive and authoritative record, benefiting scholars, policymakers, and the wider community.
The delegation’s efforts were commended as a contribution to Sarawak’s cultural and historical preservation.
The visit reflects ongoing collaboration between Sarawak’s leadership and academic institutions in promoting historical literacy and cultural awareness.
It also underscores the significance of genealogy studies in reinforcing the state’s identity and its longstanding ties with neighbouring Brunei.
