Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019 enforced with effect from March 1, 2022

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.

Picture: Datuk Sri Karim Rahman Hamzah says the new Sarawak Heritage Ordinance as a wider scope of coverage

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. 

Sarawak Governor officially launching RM323 million Malaysia's biggest museum

 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.

Picture: Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud (2nd right) officially launched Malaysia's biggest museum as Premier DatukPatinggi Abang Johari Openg (centre) and other dignitaries watch.

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.