Heritage museum gives insights into Negri Sembilan’s Chinese pioneers

Aminuddin (fifth from left) presenting a RM50,000 mock cheque to NSCAH chairman Wong Keng Tong (fourth from left). Also present were Seremban MP Anthony Loke (third from right) and NSCAH adviser Datuk Lee Tian Hock (on Loke’s left).

THE recent official launch of the Negri Sembilan Chinese Heritage Museum in Seremban will not only add to the list of must-visit places in the state but will ensure the rich history and legacy of the early settlers are preserved for future generations.

In congratulating those behind the setting up of the museum, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said future generations would, among others, be able to learn about the contributions their forefathers – who came mainly from southern China – had made towards the development of the state and country in general.

“I have been made to understand that many people, including non-governmental organisations, gave away artefacts and other memorabilia to be put in the museum so that the coming generations would know about the pioneers from the community here.

“These items have great historical value and will help educate Malaysians of all races how the Chinese arrived, their early days, culture, heritage and other aspects of their daily lives then,” he said when opening the museum.

The museum – housed within the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH) premises – among others, tells stories of the arrival of the early Chinese to the state two centuries ago.

It also has information on the community’s involvement in tin mining and rubber industries as well as their famous and powerful kapitan.The museum is also a repository of information on early Chinese education in the state and provides insights into the community’s involvement in politics and political upheavals, places of worship and pre-independence history.

Information on the involvement of the early Chinese in other economic sectors such as transportation, their early schools and places of worship as well as contribution during the golden era of cinema is also available.

Apart from old photographs, also displayed at the museum are mining licences, maps, notifications, invoices, goods transport permit, temporary occupation land receipts, records of movement and minutes of association meetings on the early Chinese community.

Aminuddin expressed hope that Malaysians of all races would visit the museum so that they too could have a better understanding of the Chinese pioneers.

“We must know about the culture and traditions of our fellow Malaysians as we live in a multiracial society.

“This will surely help foster unity among us,” he said.

On its part, the state government has taken several measures to ensure the well-being of all races in the state.

Citing an example, Aminuddin said since 2019, his administration had set aside RM3mil annually to provide aid to private tahfiz schools as well as Chinese and Tamil vernacular and other private schools in the state.

The state government, he said, has also been providing between RM1.5mil and RM2mil annually to non-Muslim places of worship to enable them carry out religious activities.

At the event, Aminuddin presented a RM50,000 allocation to NSCAH and RM20,000 to the museum to help them to carry out their activities.