Netherlands looking to source more artefacts for Melaka showcase

MELAKA: Amsterdam is looking into sourcing more cultural relics and manuscripts from the Dutch occupation of Melaka with an aim to showcase these historical items at a museum here.

Netherlands ambassador to Malaysia Jaap Werner said he noticed that there is a great desire (from the state government) to have more relics from the Netherlands to be exhibited at Stadthuys building at Bandar Hilir here.

“We need to examine this aspect whether there are (private) galleries and individuals who are keen to share their collections with Melaka.

“I can always give a try to approach institutions as well as individuals in the Netherlands on the willingness to hand over such relics to be exhibited here,” he said after the closing ceremony of a workshop entitled "Sustainability of the Dutch Colonial Era in Melaka" at Stadthuys here on Thursday (May 11).

The event was also attended by Melaka deputy tourism, heritage, art and culture committee chairman Datuk Zaidi Attan.

Werner said the Netherlands was willing to give back any historical items that were taken away during wartime situations.

“We can also appeal to those having possession of artefacts belonging to the Dutch to be displayed and to enrich a new exhibition being created at Stadthuys,” he said.

Werner said the exhibition is now being created (at Stadthuys) with a new story surrounding it and his team would scour for more artefacts to be displayed.

The Stadthuys was built by the Dutch in 1650 as offices for the governor and deputy governor.

Earlier, Zaidi said the state government will work closely with Netherlands stakeholders to look into retrieving historical items that can help to boost the exhibits at museums here and enhance the tourism potential for the state.

He said the return of artefacts, especially from the Netherlands, will strengthen the quality of exhibits at the museum at Stadthuys and will showcase the glory of the Melaka Sultanate as well its multicultural heritage.