KUCHING, March 4, 2022 - The Sarawak Heritage Ordinance, 2019, which was approved by the State Legislative Assembly in 2019, was enforced with effective from March 1, 2022, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Karim Rahman Hamzah said tonight.
He said compared to the previous Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 1993, the new ordinance widened the scope of heritage to include underwater heritage, intangible cultural heritage, establishment of the “Sarawak Heritage Council” to assist the government on matters of policy relating to heritage.
“Under this ordinance a fund known as “Sarawak Heritage Trust Fund” is set up for the purpose of preservation and conservation works of the State’s heritage,” he said at the launch of the Borneo Cultures Museum by Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
He said SHO 2019 will enable Sarawak to have a better and more comprehensive law to protect, preserve, conserve, and manage its heritage assets more efficiently.
“Conservation and management of heritage are spelt out and made clear in this Ordinance,” he said, adding that the Sarawak Museum Department will be able to make proper considerations on how to deal with heritage conservation matters.
Karim said the setting of BCM is at an opportune time where tourism is becoming an important economic contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any country.
He said BCM, situated in the centre of Kuching City, will enhance the image of the city and it will be an instant catalysts of city revitalization.
“It will become the focus and must-stop destination for tourists.
“In addition, BCM with its rich and unique exhibition will definitely lengthen the stay of tourists together with other upcoming attractions in Sarawak,” he said, expressing his confidence that BMC, beside the old Sarawak Museum, will be the pride of Sarawakians.
He explained BCM has more than 6,000 square metres of exhibition space over four floors which showcase objects on natural history, archaeology and the cultures we have in Sarawak in a thematic manner together with a children gallery and also arts and craft gallery.
He added it comes with an adjoining Annex building allocated for staff offices, collection storage area and laboratory.
He added the combined total floor space is approximately 31,000 square metres.
“BCM is also a modern, state-of-the-art museum with an impressive amount of effort put in to develop its digital content.
“The application of digital advancements has increased the interaction between the exhibition and the visitors.
“The use of technologies is to ensure the Sarawak Museum remains up-to-date and relevant amid evolving global dynamics,” he said.
The museum will finally be open to public on March 9, 2022.
Visitors are encouraged to pre-book their visit.
Entry is limited to 500 persons in the building at a time.
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