PETALING JAYA: Security at the National Art Gallery will be reinforced with enhanced alarms and sensors with the expected arrival today of four paintings – including a Picasso – linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
“We currently have 31 security personnel operating around the clock. Additional measures will be taken to further strengthen protection for these artworks,” said a representative from the National Art Gallery.
There will also be restricted access areas, the representative added.
The artworks – L’Ecuyère et les clowns (1961) by Pablo Picasso, Montmartre (1934) by Maurice Utrillo, Etude pour femme couchée (1948) by Balthus and Composition (1953) by Joan Miró – were previously owned by former 1MDB lawyer Jasmine Loo.
These paintings are estimated to be worth about RM600,000, making them among the valuable art assets successfully recovered so far, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin in a Bernama report last week.
The repatriation of the artworks came about following cooperation between MACC, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice.
According to the National Art Gallery representative, the paintings, if they are approved for public display, will be exhibited in a specially designated space.
“If given the mandate, we will ensure the artworks are displayed properly in a controlled environment.
“This is not the first time we have handled major exhibitions,” the representative said, noting past showcases that attracted thousands of visitors.
Details on public access, including whether admission fees will be charged and the duration of the exhibition, have yet to be finalised.
To ensure the paintings remain in pristine condition, the representative said that strict conservation measures will be applied, including controlled lighting, humidity and temperature.
“Preventive conservation is key. We focus on factors such as lighting, humidity, layout and handling to prevent any damage.
“Our staff are trained specifically to safeguard such collections,” the representative said.
He said the movement and handling of the artworks will follow strict international procedures, including secure transportation, insurance and coordination with relevant agencies.
The art gallery, he said, is well-equipped to handle the artworks in view of its years of investment in facilities and expertise.
“We have international standard facilities for storing, preserving and exhibiting artworks.
“This includes not only infrastructure, but also trained curators and conservators to ensure the collection is properly handled,” he said.
He said the gallery will work closely with authorities to verify its authenticity, including the MACC, while adhering to international guidelines and standard operating procedures.
“This is the first time we are involved in an arrangement of this level involving enforcement agencies, but we follow international standards as we are registered under global museum frameworks,” he said.
