Raise visitor numbers with more exhibits

I PAID a visit to Muzium Negara recently basically to view its current exhibits and displays since I have not been there for the past two years. To date, I have visited some of the best museums in the world including Britain, China, Taiwan and Egypt.

As most of us are aware, the facilities and artefacts on display in a country’s national museum tell a lot about its cultural and historical past. As such, it is important to acknowledge the fact that Muzium Negara should display the best artefacts available in order to attract the public and foreign tourists.

It must also be noted that in both developed and developing countries, the national museum is usually a destination that most tourists would visit. Therefore, these countries put in a lot of resources to keep their museums in world-class standards. After all, the standard and quality of the facilities and artefacts on display would reflect the country’s image.

I personally find the facilities in Muzium Negara reasonably good after the renovation work a few years ago. But I have also noted that most of the artefacts on display are the same as those I saw during my visit two years ago. In my view, the museum’s curators should be proactive in rotating the artefacts on display more regularly, as is done in most museums overseas. This would encourage the public to visit the place more frequently. It could also improve its overall image by being seen to have a sizeable collection of artefacts to display.

Another point I wish to highlight is the fact that in a humid country like Malaysia, it can be very uncomfortable for a person to walk around in a closed hall without air conditioning. This was the situation in one section (located next to the car park) of the museum. Why is the air conditioning system in this area switched off? Is it a cost-saving effort in these challenging times as fewer people would visit this section if there is no air conditioning? In the long run, however, it can give both local and foreign visitors the wrong impression.

I personally feel that the most logical solution to overcome this problem is for the museum authorities to adjust the entrance fees especially for foreign tourists. We need to maintain Muzium Negara’s image and standard at all times.