More funds needed to make Sabah Museum a big tourist attraction
KOTA KINABALU: Kapayan Assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi said he is happy to note that his proposal to establish a Chinese Museum or Chinese Heritage Museum has received positive response from the government and also from the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
Dr Bosi who is also Parti Anak Negeri Penampang Chief said he went to visit the Sabah Museum on January 8 to update himself on the exhibits on display.
“The Sabah Museum is always sentimental to me because I was involved with the skeletal and taxidermy of the Sumatran rhino. I had also worked with Sabah Museum by allowing them to take the skin or hide of a dead baby elephant and some other wildlife when I was attached with the Wildlife Department at Sepilok. I am happy the display of these animals is in good condition and very educational,” he said.
Dr Bosi said he is disappointed that the government is not putting up the Chinese Heritage Museum at the burned-down old building next to Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC).
“I hope the government will quickly develop the site into their proposed gallery and therefore rid Kota Kinabalu city of an eyesore,” said Bosi.
He is hoping the government will give more allocation to Sabah Museum to maintain and improve their exhibits.
“For example, I noticed that the glasses were not swiped clean to allow for better viewing and photographing of the exhibits.
“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,” he asserted.
Dr Bosi said Sabah Museum can do more to be a repository of Sabah’s past and for the future generation to remember.
“Sabah Museum deserves more funding from the government. The government gave Sabah Museum RM16,178,570 for 2017 and about the same estimated RM16,664,250 for 2018 but 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,” he said.
Dr Bosi opined that 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. Sabah Museum can offer one of its buildings or build a new one to showcase the cultural heritage of all the indigenous people of Sabah.
“It will be like a building for the ‘Muzeum Tamadun Islam’.
“The Chinese Association, FCAS has indicated their willingness to provide what is necessary for the establishment of the Chinese Heritage Museum. Likewise, I hope the other cultural associations will step forward to work with Sabah Museum to create and establish their very own Heritage Museum,” he concluded.