Penang’s first private museum is now open

GEORGE TOWN: Penang welcomed its first private museum that exhibits a collection of ceramics and porcelain found from ships that sank during the Song, Ming and Qing dynasty era.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the 300 artefacts exhibited in the museum would tell the history, development and aesthetic values ​​of the collection.

“This Straits and Oriental Museum is the first private museum in Penang approved and certified by the Penang State Museum Board under the Penang Museum Board Enactment 2020.

“The contents exhibited by the museum do not contradict the facts of Penang’s history and local history in general, and the explanation on the displayed caption is clear and informative,” he told Bernama at the launch of the Straits and Oriental Museum here yesterday.

Yeoh, who is also the chairman of the State Museum Board, said the museum located at St Joseph’s building, Gurney Paragon, will display artefacts that will provide additional value about the history and informal education to the community, in particular local residents and tourists.

He added that the opening of the first private museum is one of the efforts of the state government to protect cultural treasures as well as contribute to the creative sector of the state.