By Lian Cheng and Emellia Tamoh
KUCHING, Aug 9: The new Sarawak Museum Complex, soon to be the largest in the country and second largest in Southeast Asia, will become the pride of all Sarawakians.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the RM308 million, Green Building Index certified museum complex, will be the next must-visit landmark in Sarawak.
“Being the largest in Malaysia and second largest in Southeast Asia, this museum will be the centre of our culture and heritage.
“This is truly something to be proud of, to have our culture showcased to the world,” he said at the handing over of the Sarawak Museum Complex to the state Museum Department here, today.
Abdul Karim said the museum will be equipped with infrastructures of international standard and be filled with exhibitions themed “Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Harmony and Unity with Nature and History”.
“The state government has allocated RM15 million to equip this museum with the state-of-the-art facilities,” he added.
The cavernous collection and storage spaces would compliment the state-of-the-art research facilities that will keep the vast array of state-owned priceless museum collection safely preserved for future generation to enjoy, he continued.
Abdul Karim expected the world-class museum, with 6,000 meter square interactive and engaging exhibitions, to open at the end of next year.
A well-curated selection of unique artefacts and specimens will be taking visitors on a journey, while telling them stories about Sarawak’s history and the lief of all communities in Sarawak, he said.
“It will be a cultural museum. When it is a cultural museum, it will showcase the custom, lifestyle and history of various ethnic groups in Sarawak.
“That is the reason why the museum will be the pride of Sarawak, because we have so many diverse ethnic rouges and when they come to visit the museum, they will see a part of them here. The Orang Ulu, the Melanau, the Chinese, they will feel very proud of it,” Abdul Karim explained.
He also revealed that the state Cabinet has approved the Sarawak Cultural Heritage (Management and Control of the Sarawak Museum) Rules 2019, to replace Sarawak Cultural Heritage Ordinance 1993, which would ensure effective management of all museums in Sarawak.
The new by-law was introduced to empower the state Museum director to administer the Sarawak Museum Campus, which is made up by a few museums such as the Sarawak Museum, the Kuching Aquarium, the Islamic Heritage Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Butterfly Museum, the Annex Building and the Sarawak Arts Museum.
“Following the introduction of this new by-law, Sarawak Museum Department will be able to carry out its works more effectively and efficiently,” said Abdul Karim. — DayakDaily
