The Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark assessment team conducted a field verification visit to the Batiwakkal Museum, located in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, on Friday (10/7/2026). This inspection was carried out to assess the eligibility of cultural heritage elements as an integral part of the proposed geopark area.
The assessment team was welcomed directly by the Head of the Batiwakkal Museum, Aji Suhaidi. On this occasion, he presented the long history of the Gunung Tabur Sultanate and showcased various valuable heirloom collections stored in the museum. The museum is a reconstruction of the Gunung Tabur Sultanate Palace, which was destroyed by Allied bombings in 1945, before being rebuilt in 1990 and officially opened to the public on September 16, 1992.
This visit plays a crucial role in the comprehensive assessment of the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark. The existence of the Batiwakkal Museum is considered an important pillar that complements the region's geological wealth and biodiversity, thereby adding significant value in terms of history, education, and regional tourism appeal.
