1m artefacts but no space
Published on: Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The State Museum has accumulated over a million artefacts over the last 50 years that can boost tourism, but is only able to display 10 per cent of the materials due to space shortage. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is all for the expansion of the Sabah Museum, brought the issue to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Monday. Visitors also peaked to over 40,000 a month, with two thirds of the number comprising locals, Masidi point out. The problems are further compounded with defects to its 30-year-old building here, as well as being forced to occupy the old Sandakan Municipal Council building on loan for the Sandakan Heritage Museum in Sandakan.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, Masidi noted there is also a need to develop museums in Tawau, Ranau, Sipitang or Beaufort, Tambunan and Tongod. "It is also hoped Sandakan will have its own space and own building soon, equipped with modern technology as the district was the former State Capital and has a lot of historical heritage that needs to be highlighted," said Masidi during the State Museum 50th anniversary celebrations, here. Musa who officiated at the event saw the wisdom in raking in the dollars this way and agreed to channel the funds needed when he is able to. He believed this will attract more visitors to marvel at the historic articles on Sabah and gather information. For example, the ancient artefacts located in the Egypt Museum has attracted visitors from all over the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Today among the roles played by the museums are to exhibit our heritage and attract visitors to come to Sabah," he said. Furthermore, he said museums need to play a proactive role in leading the development of historical sites, study and documentations of the State.
ADVERTISEMENT
Towards this end, Musa also called on the museum to intensify cooperation with the private sector to develop facilities or prepare packages to bring in more visitors to the local museums. The history of Sabah Museum can be traced back to 1886 in Sandakan but most of its collection was destroyed during World War II, following the total destruction of the town. It started out with a mere 14,500 items on the culture of locals in Sabah, which were inherited from the late George Cathcart Woley, a Chartered Company officer. The establishment of the modern day Sabah Museum came about after it was proposed by the Sabah Society two years following the State's independence through Malaysia and was headquartered in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). Museum Director Joanna Kitingan said a feasibility study will be carried out to look into the expansion of the museum's facilities so some of the collections could be exhibited. This includes dispersing some of artefacts into existing branches like in Tenom, Semporna and Sandakan, Keningau and the Tun Mustapha Museum in Kudat. "We need proper and practical new museums, as well as the right technologies to display the items. "All of the artefacts are now being stored inside a 24-hour air-conditioned room," she said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
