Build ethnic Museum if can: Bosi
Published on: Sunday, January 14, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Kapayan Assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi is happy that his proposal for a Chinese Museum or Chinese Heritage Museum has received positive response from the Government and the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).He said, alternatively, it is up to Sabah Museum to offer one of its buildings or build a new one to showcase the cultural heritage of all of Sabah's over 30 indigenous communities. "It will be like a building for the Muzium Tamadun Islam. FCAS has indicated willingness to provide what is necessary for setting up a Chinese Heritage Museum.
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"Likewise, I hope other cultural associations will work with Sabah Museum to establish their very own Heritage Museum," said Bosi, who is Parti Anak Negeri Penampang Chief. He believed there is enough space at the Sabah Museum for not only the Chinese Heritage Museum but also for all the known ethnic groups in Sabah. Bosi is disappointed that the Government is not considering locating the Chinese Heritage Museum at the burned-down site next to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) where the historical transfer of the colony of British North Borneo (as Sabah was known then) from the Chartered Company to the Crown took place in 1946, making Sabah the very last addition to the British Empire before independence began to be granted to all its possessions."I hope the government will quickly develop the site into their proposed gallery and rid the city of an eye-sore. Bosi hoped the Government would also give more allocation to Sabah Museum to maintain and improve their exhibits.
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"I only saw a very minimal display of Chinese history such as the early trading route, ceramics and wedding ceremony. Overall I can say that the cultural display of the more than 40 ethnic tribes in Sabah is not represented. I could see some but minimal display of the Kadazandusun, Murut and Bajau culture."
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Bosi said Sabah Museum can do more to be a repository of Sabah's past and for the future generation to remember. "The Sabah Museum deserves more funding. The Government gave Sabah Museum RM16,178,570 for 2017 and about the same, RM16,664,250 for 2018, and this is not enough. "The Sabah Museum has so much room for improvement and to attract the thousands of visitors to Sabah to visit it will not be an issue. With better and more exhibits on display I think the entrance fee can be increased accordingly." Earlier State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun voiced disapproval to the Chinese Heritage Museum proposal, saying it was better to house all in one roof.However, he was ticked off by Sabah PKR Chief Christina Liew who described it as an insult and akin to suggesting that the immense contributions of the Chinese to Sabah, who produced three Chinese chief Ministers, were only fit to occupy a section of the museum.Besides, she said, the proposal received full support of a Chinese State Cabinet Minister and FCAS. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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