The largest museum hub in Malaysia and second largest in South East Asia is set to launch in 2021.
The highly anticipated £56 million Sarawak Museum Complex is set open to open its doors in April next year, it has been confirmed by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture this week.
The museums will feature ground-breaking interactive displays and variety of 1660 exhibits taken from its extraordinary collections, which effortlessly combine the modern world to Malaysia’s rich heritage within its communities.
The museum complex is expected to feature a 200-year-old Kelibieng Pole and an Iban war boat as its centrepieces. Reptiles, mammals and birds will also be showcased in the exhibitions, giving Sarawak a similar experience to the world-renowned Natural History Museums in the west.
The ambitious project includes the £5 million refurbishment of the Sarawak State Museum. As part of the development, the 130-year-old museum has remained close since 2017 and will launch with the new museums at the centre in 2021.
Museum officials have yet to confirm admission fees for the experiences, but different tariffs for locals and tourists is expected.
Sarawak Museum Complex was originally planned to open in December 2020. However, COVID 19 caused construction work to delay and with world travel currently at a standstill, the Malaysian Government decided to postpone the grand opening.
In a statement issued this week Abdul Karim, Minister of Malaysian of Tourism, Arts and Culture said the museum complex will become a ‘must see’ for Malaysia residents and visitors, as well as promising to be an icon in visitor experience world.
In other museum news, the Hull Maritime Museum Project is seeking a contractor for its £12 million refurbishment.
