By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Aug 8: Visitors will be required to pay an entrance fee to visit the new Sarawak Museum Complex in the city, with Sarawakians to enjoy a lower rate.
However, the amount of the entrance fee has yet to be decided by the state Cabinet, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
It was also mooted that an entry fee might be introduced in other museums in the state capital, although the decision has yet to be finalised.
Abdul Karim suggested that a day pass be introduced to access all the museums.
“It has been very costly to maintain the museums and like other museums in other parts of the world, fees will be collected for the new Sarawak Museum Complex.
“We would love to see a little bit of payment to be made by foreigners, as well as locals,” he told a press conference after the handing over of the Sarawak Museum Complex from the contractor to the state Museum Department, here, today.
Abdul Karim gave assurance that local rates will be much lower, as the state government hoped to encourage more locals to visit.
He said the state cabinet had discussed on the entrance fee but not in depth. The decision will only be made at a later date.
Abdul Karim expected the new complex to be open to the public middle of next year the earliest.
“When we reach that moment of time, then we decide on the amount (entry fee) for this museum or other museums. It would be good, because Kuching has many museums.”
Abdul Karim’s proposal for a “day pass” can be used to visit all the museums in Kuching such as the Old Sarawak Museum, the new Sarawak Museum Complex including the Kuching Akuarium, Islamic Heritage Museum and Chinese Heritage Museum. — DayakDaily
