Thousands throng museums nationwide on International Museum Day
Visitors arriving at the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday in conjunction with International Museum Day. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with International Museum Day yesterday, thousands of visitors from near and far took advantage of the opportunity to explore the history and heritage found in museums nationwide.
A total of 19 institutions under the supervision of the museums department offered free admission to the public in conjunction with the celebration.
In the capital city, the National Museum began to fill with local visitors and foreign tourists as soon as it opened at 9am.
Assistant curator Siti Jumiah Abdul Razak said volunteer tour guides fluent in various languages were provided on a day that also saw traditional performances and the opening of the Asean Gallery in conjunction with Malaysia's chairmanship this year.
Beli Harvey, a tourist from New Zealand who arrived in Malaysia last Friday, said he was excited to have been informed that the museum was open for free.
'I am aware of International Museum Day but I didn't expect entry to be free, so it was a nice surprise. The diversity of this country has really taught me well throughout my visit here,' he said.
In Selangor, parents brought their children to spend a weekend filled with entertainment and educational opportunities at the Sultan Alam Shah Museum in Shah Alam.
Private-sector employee Hani Hairi came with her 14-year-old twins. The 46-year-old said the visit gave her teenage children the opportunity to learn more about history in a comfortable environment.
'They were excited because it's been a long time since they visited a museum. I used to bring them when they were small. Since we had time on the weekend, we came to see the exhibitions here,' she said.
In Negeri Sembilan, the Army Museum in Port Dickson became a popular destination for visitors such as Mohd Khairil Abidin, 45, who brought his five children after learning about the free admission through Facebook.
The Kota Johor Lama Museum in Kota Tinggi was among 19 museums nationwide that offered free admission yesterday. (Bernama pic)
In Melaka, Siti Hafizah Yusop fom Durian Tunggal, Alor Gajah, came with her husband and four children to the Malaysian Architectural Museum.
'It is very interesting here, and visiting museums not only provides exposure to history and culture but also strengthens family ties,' the 40-year-old said.
In Johor, the Kota Johor Lama Museum in Kota Tinggi was visited by local and foreign visitors keen to learn about the historical city, once an important centre of government following the fall of the Melaka Sultanate in 1511.
In Pahang, the Sungai Lembing Museum recorded some 213 visitors as of 11am, with activities such as traditional tin-ore panning being a major attraction.
Museum head Peterson Augustine Anak Augustine Jadan said he hoped the inclusive and interactive approach would foster interest among young people in the mining heritage synonymous with the area.
And farther north, the Kota Kuala Kedah Museum in Alor Setar similarly received a large number of visitors.
Located at the estuary of the Kedah River, this institution showcases the area's defence history with various archaeological artefacts on display, including ceramics and original bricks from the 18th-century fort.
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