The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) has launched a digital museum powered by augmented and virtual reality under the Natural History Museum Collection Digitisation and Virtual Exhibition Programme.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, said the initiative by the Malaysian Museum Department (JMM) marks a step in transforming museum institutions for the digital era, allowing visitors to explore collections in 360 degrees.
"To date, JMM has successfully digitised 255 collections encompassing various valuable artefacts and flora and fauna specimens. Out of the 255 collections, 135 units are ethnological collections representing the diverse races and ethnicities in Malaysia, while the remaining 120 are flora and fauna specimens," said Haslina.
"Among the iconic artefacts that have been digitised are the first flag of the Federation of Malaya, the HMS Malaya Cup, the Cupak Sirih Sultan Abdul Samad, and numismatic collections such as gold coins from the era of Sultan Zainal Abidin II."
She added that the natural specimens comprise 32 mammals, 35 birds, 20 insects, 14 herpetofauna (cold-blooded specimens), six marine specimens and 13 botanical specimens, all produced through 3D scanning.
KPN is targeting between 7,000 and 10,000 visitors for the virtual exhibition, with expectations of higher numbers as access becomes more open and inclusive across all segments of society. – Bernama
