Fort Lily Explained

Fort Lily
Address:Jalan Datuk Patinggi Udin, Betong, Sarawak
Location Country:Malaysia
Completion Date:1858
Owner:Government of Sarawak
Material:Belian timber

Fort Lily is a historical fort in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia. It was built in 1858 by James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, as a defence centre and to safeguard government activities in the area.

History

The fort, the oldest in Sarawak, is located in the town of Betong in the Betong Division, Sarawak, and was built in 1858 by James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak, as a government administrative centre and to provide protection from attacks by Iban warriors led by Rentap. The origin of its name is unknown. Later, it was used as a police station and as government offices, before it became vacant.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Description

The fort is made entirely of wood using belian timber. The original nipah leaf roof has been replaced with a roof of belian shingles.

In 2019, it was reported that the building would be converted into a museum by the Sarawak Museum Department to display cultural artefacts of the Iban people.

References

  1. Web site: EditorJY . 2019-04-18 . Fort Lily playing an important role for Betong once again . 2024-11-28 . DayakDaily . en-GB.
  2. Web site: EditorBP11 . 2024-06-24 . Fort Lily, Fort Sylvia to be Iban heritage centres . 2024-11-28 . Borneo Post Online . en-US.
  3. Web site: The Official Portal of the Sarawak Government . 2024-11-28 . sarawak.gov.my.
  4. Web site: Dawum . Garret . 2019-04-16 . Fort Lily to be rejuvenated New Straits Times . 2024-11-28 . NST Online . en.
  5. Web site: A Walk Through Forts in Sarawak - Sarawak Museum Department . 2024-11-28 . museum.sarawak.gov.my.

1.4145°N 111.528°W