KUCHING: The state government is aware of the need to preserve its heritage while implementing physical development in the State.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was important to preserve and conserve various heritage such as historical monuments, sites and artefacts for the future generations.
“It also contributes to the tourism industry.
“Thus, the state government has allocated RM308 million to build a new museum complex for Sarawak Museum,” he said in his speech text read by Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin during the 8th General Conference of ASEMUS (Asia-Europe Museum Network) at The Waterfront Hotel here yesterday.
Abang Johari added that the objective was to enhance the role of Sarawak Museum as a world-class institution.
“The new five-storey will comprise exhibition galleries on Level 2 to 5, flanking a central atrium on both sides. Level 1 will house commercial lots, a cafe, function rooms and auditorium spaces which supports and complements temporary exhibition gallery.
“In addition, scientists and researchers, local and foreign will also use it to do their research on Sarawak’s culture, arts and antiquities,” he said adding that the building will be completed in mid 2019.
Abang Johari also said that the exhibition will be opened to the public by the end of 2020 and a potential tourist attraction.
“Therefore, it is timely to organise the ASEMUS conference in Kuching. The conference titled ‘New Curatorial Perspectives for a Changed World’ is appropriate as the state government is promoting the balance between physical development and preserving heritage in the state for our future generations.
“At the same time, the state is aggressively embarking on Digital Economy to transform and leapfrog the state to have a high-income economy but not forgetting to preserve its heritage,” he said.
He also pointed out that the state government was serious in taking steps to preserve the heritage in Sarawak.
“The Sarawak Museum Department has been entrusted to preserve the heritage in the state as stipulated under the Sarawak Cultural Heritage Ordinance 1993.
“The idea to establish Sarawak Museum was made in 1860. The proper museum building was built in 1888 and opened to public on 4 August 1891,” he said.
He added that the museum was extended to the new wing in 1911.
“This building was built to display ethnographic and natural history collections.
“It is the oldest museum in Borneo and has one of the best collections in South East Asia,” said Abang Johari.
He also said that the new museum complex will also serve as a resource and research centre in line with the Sarawak Museum Department’s vision of becoming a Global Centre for Borneon heritage by 2030.
“The Sarawak Museum needs to find ways to upgrade its role to acquire, conserve, and exhibit the collections which first started since 1880s.
“It needs to collaborate with other museums and established institutions around the world.
“Thus, ASEMUS is the appropriate platform for Sarawak Museum to collaborate with other museums around the world in order to attain global standard,” he said.
