KUCHING: The Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM), Malaysia’s largest and the second-largest museum in Southeast Asia here, will offer visitors not only historical exhibits to explore but also spaces for entertainment and engagement.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Art Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said efforts are made to make the museum more vibrant and appealing beyond traditional heritage conservation.
“We have always been looking at museums as a place for heritage conservation and a place to keep old artefacts.
“Thus, we are trying to build up the image of the museum to make it to be looked upon not as a place for us to see old things but also as a place to be entertained,” he said.
He said this during the Night at the Museum event held at the museum last night (Sept 21).
Abdul Karim further said various events and programmes have been held and it is hoped that the Museum Department will continue to host more events in the future.
“As of today, the museum continues to be a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors, boasting an impressive total of 1.1 million visitors since its grand opening in March 2022,” he said.
Apart from the permanent exhibition, he said the Museum Department also introduces innovative and captivating ways to showcase exceptional exhibits for the benefit of the community yearly including the world-class artwork “Museum of the Moon” and the “GAIA (The Earth)” exhibition, both by Luke Jerram.
BCM, he said, also serves as the go-to spot for expanding the minds of schoolchildren through all sorts of events, programmes, and exhibits that are not only educational but interactive and entertaining as well.
“The museum has benefitted students from 212 pre-schools, 528 primary schools, and 147 secondary schools since its inception in March 2022.
“Since January this year, the BCM has benefitted over 14,000 students from all over Sarawak,” he said.
He also noted that BCM is the first museum in Malaysia to be officially recognised as a Green Building under the Green Building Index (GBI) and was accredited with a silver rating.
“This further emphasises Sarawak’s aim to be environmentally conscious and sustainable, all while still implementing avant-garde ideas and concepts into the exhibits showcased in the museum,” he said.
On the Night at the Museum event, Abdul Karim said it aimed to showcase some of BCM’s star collection, honouring history while fostering a deeper appreciation for the unique identities that shape the community in
Borneo and Sarawak.
“Tonight marks the first time that the event has been held, and it will certainly not be the last.
“The events provide a good example of how a well-curated exhibit and carefully planned programmes can simultaneously drive knowledge-sharing initiatives, culture appreciation, heritage continuation, and preservation, all while increasing tourism activities and providing economic opportunities to the state,” he said.
