New ordinance to give Museum Dept more ‘bite’ — Abdul Karim
KUCHING: A new ordinance to empower the Sarawak Museum Department (JMS) will be introduced next year.
This was revealed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who said the ordinance to improve activities of JMS will be tabled at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Sitting next year.
He explained that the proposed ordinance will enable JMS to collaborate with private sectors including relevant field experts to increase the attraction and number of visitors to museums in the state.
Citing the collaboration between the department and Brooke Foundation in elevating Fort Margherita as an example, he pointed out that the number of visitors to the historical site has since increased.
“We will be tabling an ordinance to administer the museums and God willing, we will table it at the next DUN Sitting.
“At the moment, we have no plans to directly privatise our museums but we want to work together with private sectors including experts to manage
We will be tabling an ordinance to administer the museums and God willing, we will table it at the next DUN Sitting. Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister
these historical places,” he told reporters when met after officiating the ‘Pameran Sejarah Kehidupan Nabi Muhammad SAW’ at Sarawak Islamic Museum here yesterday.
Meanwhile, he said JMS will be opening a gallery to exhibit ‘songket’ and ‘ keringkam’ collection at the Old Courthouse here.
“We will continue with our efforts to highlight the legacy of the state so that this history will be made aware to the public particularly Sarawakians,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Karim urged JMS to be more proactive in organising museum activities so that the institution which looks after historical artefact can be visited by everyone.
“It will be meaningless if we have museums but they are not visited by visitors. Therefore, do intensify the efforts because I trust that you (JMS) can do your best in ensuring that our museums are constantly receiving visitors,” he remarked.
On the exhibition, which is held in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul, he hoped that it will raise awareness among the Islamic community to improve morality and identity as Muslims.
“The personality of Prophet Muhammad ought to be emulated and serve as a role model for us in the course of our daily life that’s becoming more challenging.
“As such, I would like to extend my heartiest appreciation and congratulations to JMS for successfully organising this exhibition.”
The ‘ Pameran Sejarah Kehidupan Nabi Muhammad SAW’, which is on until Dec 14, features historical information on the life of Prophet Muhammad including the replica of the Zul Faqar Sword and set of seals from the Qajar Era, 19th century, Persia. Apart from that, other activities which will be held include workshops, khat art contest, quiz, and treasure hunt.
Also present at the event were JMS director Ipoi Datan and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha.