malaysiangKUCHING, March 4 — The newly launched Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) can serve as a centre of learning in understanding Borneo’s rich history, cultures, and nature, said Premier of Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said as a world-class repository, the museum can also attract academics and researchers from both local and international institutions.
He said this research-driving objective of the museum will promote a society that appreciates the importance of research and be imbibed with the research culture.
“As can be seen in developed economies, a society entrenched with research culture and a data-driven mindset will have greater analytical skills to improve every aspect of life,” he said at the official launch of the BCM here tonight.
The brand-new iconic museum showcases over a thousand artefacts that represent Sarawak’s amazing culture and history.
The development of BCM commenced in 2014 and the RM323 million project was fully funded by the Sarawak state government.
Abang Johari said in addition to preserving heritage, the Sarawak Museum Department can also play a larger role especially in contributing towards the growth of Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by encouraging jobs and having other direct and indirect economic effects in the service sector.
He said using museums as a stimulus for the growth of the cultural economy has proven to be a success, thus making the concept more popular in developed and developing countries.
Citing the famed Bilbao Guggenheim Museum in Spain as an example, Abang Johari said the museum has created a stimulating environment for the entire city’s development.
“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 added.
The museum will be opened to the public on March 9.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
