Abdul Karim: Borneo Cultures Museum draws over 1 mln visitors since opening

KUCHING (Sept 22): The Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) has become a must-visit attraction in Kuching, drawing an impressive 1.11 million visitors since its grand opening in March 2022, said Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He highlighted the Sarawak Museum Department’s commitment to curating world-class exhibits and programmes that foster informal education for both local and international visitors, including students and researchers from various education sectors.

“As of today, BCM continues to attract both domestic and international visitors, with an impressive 1.11 million visitors since its grand opening. It has truly become a must-visit destination for anyone coming to Kuching.

“In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Department is introducing innovative and captivating ways to present these exceptional exhibits for the benefit of the community,” he said in his speech at the ‘Night at the Museum’ programme held at BCM last night.

Abdul Karim elaborated that last year, the Department introduced the ‘Museum of the Moon’, a world-class artwork that attracted over 60,000 visitors.

This year, they have introduced a similar attraction – Luke Jerram’s GAIA (The Earth) Exhibition, which has already drawn over 89,000 visitors.

Both exhibits feature 3D models suspended within the BCM, creating a phenomenal, immersive experience that traditional 2D displays cannot match.

“This approach elevates the quality of the exhibits, offering an engaging, immersive experience that showcases Sarawak’s excellence in museology,” he added.

Abdul Karim said the BCM has also become a go-to spot for expanding the minds of the schoolchildren through all sorts of events, programmes and exhibits that not only are educational but interactive and entertaining as well.

“Since its opening, the BCM has benefitted students from 212 pre-schools, 528 primary schools, and 147 secondary schools.

“In 2024 alone, over 14,000 students from across Sarawak have visited the museum.

“With this new building, events like tonight’s can now accommodate larger audiences, ultimately providing even greater benefits to the community,” he added.

He also shared that BCM is the first museum in Malaysia to be officially recognised as a Green Building under the Green Building Index (GBI) and was accredited with a silver rating on June 18 this year.

“This further emphasise Sarawak’s aim to be environmentally conscious as well as sustainable, all while still implementing avant-garde ideas and concepts into the exhibits showcased in the BCM.”

Commenting on the event, Abdul Karim said that it exemplifies how well-curated exhibits and carefully planned programmes can drive knowledge-sharing initiatives, promote cultural appreciation, preserve heritage, and simultaneously boost tourism and economic opportunities for the state.

“As we navigate through the exhibits tonight, I invite everyone to engage with the narratives – each piece, from intricate textiles to traditional artefacts, tells a story of resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to our roots.

“Let’s take this opportunity to engage with one another, share our experiences, and celebrate the rich mosaic of cultures that enrich our lives. Together, we can ensure Sarawak’s heritage legacy continues to thrive for generations to come.

“I hope the Museum Department will continue to host more events of this magnitude in the future. We have always viewed museums places of heritage conservation, a place to store old artefacts. Now, we aim to reshape that image – not just a place to see old artefacts but also as a venue for entertainment and engagement,” he added.