KUCHING: Sarawak is focusing on having more musical performances based on historical events to allow the people to understand the past in a more interesting way.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg believes it is crucial for the public to know how events in the past made things the way they are today.
Apart from exhibiting exhibits and artefacts at the museum, he said, all these can also be translated into a musical performance.
“We need a different approach to promote history or past events as it determines the present; and the present determines the future,”he said.
“When it is done this way (musical performance), people can understand better.
“That is why the Sarawak government has allocated more than RM200 million to transform the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building into a performing arts centre, similar to the Royal Albert Hall in London with a good sound system and modern stage,” he added.
Speaking at the national-level International Museum Day 2023 celebration at Borneo Cultures Museum here Monday, Abang Johari encouraged more people to do further research into the state’s rich heritage.
He said recently, experts from Australia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) have made some discoveries which suggested that humans existed about 60,000 years ago in the Niah Caves.
Thus, he said, the experts should continue to find out more about this as civilisation was very important, it was also part of the world.
“So, please come to Sarawak (for research) as we have so much more to share. Besides, we have one of the biggest museums (Borneo Cultures Museum) in the country, visited by more than 700,000 people since last year,” he said
Earlier, the Premier also expressed his appreciation to the federal government for having Sarawak host the national-level International Day Museum celebration this year; it was a meaningful event as Sarawak was also celebrating its 60th anniversary of independence.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasaar Tourism, Creative Industry Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang as well as other dignitaries were present.
