Department of Museums targets 1 million visitors to visit its 22 museums

Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur is one of the country's main museums managed by Department of Museums Malaysia. Photo: The Star/P. Nathan

Museums have the pull to serve as important public attractions that can be developed further to help promote Malaysian culture and boost the country's tourism industry.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said this year the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM) is aiming to attract one million visitors to visit its 22 museums across the country.

Though museums have recorded a decrease in total visitors, she is confident that they will be able to meet the target.

"I am confident and believe that these exhibitions can serve to increase the potential of museums as one of the main contributors to the country's economic recovery efforts," said Nancy at the recent opening ceremony of the Textile Motif and Pattern Design Exhibition at the National Textile Museum in KL.

This year, her ministry is giving priority to the implementation of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 and the National Culture Policy (DAKEN) to help accelerate the national economic recovery.

These two policies will also ensure that all parties in the tourism, art and culture chain can add value to existing skills and talents.

Nancy also said that the new exhibition at the National Textile Museum symbolises the uniqueness and beauty of Malay culture."These motifs also play an important role in reflecting the identity of a nation, which can differentiate our country's textile handicrafts from those of neighbouring countries.

"Such an exhibition is expected to open the minds of the community, especially the younger generation, to recognise and understand the diversity, symbolism, and philosophy of traditional motifs in the local textile art world that we have inherited,” she added. – Bernama