Watch: Sarawak’s Borneo Cultures Museum scheduled to open in March

Next month, Sarawak is set make the international headlines with the launch of the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, a world-class repository of irreplaceable collections, as well as a centre for both Sarawak and Borneo heritage. Photo: Borneo Cultures Museum

The Niah Cave's archaeological heritage and skeletal collection, a Hornbill casque earring, 19th century beads (lukut sekala) and necklaces, and an Iban war boat, which is more than 100 years old, are some of the highlights at the brand new Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, Sarawak, which is scheduled to open next month.

This 30,000sq m state-of-the-art building, with five levels, houses the rich history, culture and heritage of the diverse population and indigenous people of Sarawak and Borneo.

It is also set to be Malaysia's largest museum complex, and the second largest museum in South-East Asia after the Singapore National Museum.

With an exhibition area of 6,726sq m, visitors can look forward to three permanent gallery floors at the Borneo Cultures Museum. There have been daily teasers on the museum's social media channels to give the public a preview of the attractions.

A section dedicated to masks in Sarawak and Borneo. Photo: Borneo Cultures Museum

The museum, which cost RM308mil, will devote sections to ethnography, archaeology, and archives.

These permanent galleries will also carry the themes: In Harmony With Nature, Objects Of Desire and Time Changes. The remaining two floors will include a children's gallery, arts and craft hub, temporary exhibition area, museum shop, restaurant, event halls and more.

The Borneo Cultures Museum, which is Green Building Index (GBI) certified, will also feature interactive content and digital experiences, where visitors - young and old - can engage with intangible cultural heritage exhibits and installations.

The construction work for the museum project, led by Sarawakian architect Datuk Sri Ar John Lau Kah Sieng, began in 2015.

A view of the 'Time Capsule Book' interactive exhibit. Photo: Borneo Cultures Museum

Everything about the design brief of the Borneo Cultures Museum was calculated to position the museum architecturally as the guardian of the state's cultural heritage. The silhouetted panels are based on traditional Sarawak motifs such as songket and woven rattan mats. Additionally, the wall claddings are abstract interpretations of traditional Sarawak weaving patterns.

To make way for its construction, the Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, an exhibition gallery of the Sarawak Museum since 1983, was demolished but the lush greenery on site was retained.

The Borneo Cultures Museum was completed in 2019 but due to the pandemic situation, the opening was delayed.