KUCHING, March 4, 2022 - Malaysia’s biggest museum - the Borneo Cultures Museum - was officially launched tonight by Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg and other state and federal dignitaries.
The RM323 million BCM is the biggest development project in the history of the Sarawak Museum since it was established in 1891.
The BCM incorporates the elements of Green Building design for its interior, making it the first museum in Malaysia to be certified as a Green Building under the Green Building Index (GBI).
The five-storey building consists of permanent exhibitions, Children's Gallery, temporary exhibition, function room, VIP room, auditorium, restaurant, canteen, and a souvenir shop.
There is also an Arts and Crafts Gallery which includes special activity labs and a dance studio.
Speaking at the launch, Abang Johari said the BCM can also play a forefront role in disseminating knowledge derived from data and research on the museum's extensive collections.
“As a world-class repository, the BCM is anticipated to serve as a centre of learning, attracting more academics and researchers from both local and international institutions in our effort to be enriched with more knowledge from Borneo's rich history, cultures, and nature.
“I believe that this research-driving objective of the museum will augur well for the ability of our society to appreciate the importance of research and be imbibed with the “research culture'' in order to generate data, undeniably a priceless commodity in the digital economic environment.
“This is very much in line with our aim of developing an economy that is "data-driven" in which data "moves, operates, or controls" nearly our every action,” he added.
He said the Sarawak Museum Department can play a larger role in connecting culture with creativity, thereby promoting the growth of cultural and creative industries (CCI).
He said this, in turn, would contribute to the growth of Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by encouraging jobs and having other direct and indirect economic effects in the service sector.
“The concept of using museums as a stimulus for the growth of the cultural economy is a proven concept, and has bred success thus becoming more popular in developed and developing countries.
“For example, the famed Bilbao Guggenheim Museum in Spain, opened in 1997, has created a tremendous effect that has become a stimulating environment for the entire city's development.
“Nearer to us in Asia, the National Museum of China in Beijing and the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum received over 14.4 million visitors in 2018 and are undeniably strong pull factors in drawing tourists thus boosting the city's economic growth,” the premier said.
He said these are the kinds of positive outcomes that the Sarawak government is aiming for when the Sarawak Museum Campus Initiative was approved in 2014.
He added the cost of setting up the campus at RM323 million should be seen as a long-term investment to boost the state’s economy, that of Kuching in particular, as a gateway to the southern part of Sarawak.
“With its strategic location in the heart of Kuching, and increased accessibility with the forthcoming Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, I am confident that the BCM would create the spin-off effects that it is intended to bring about,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment