GEORGE TOWN: The Penang State Assembly has passed the Penang State Museum Board Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2026 in an effort to tighten regulation over museum activities in the state.
The Bill was tabled at the sitting on Thursday (May 14) by state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
The amendment introduces a requirement that no party may operate any museum-related activity without prior approval from the state Museum Board.
It also introduces clearer definitions of “museum” and “museum activity” to prevent ambiguity and misuse of the term for unrelated operations.
“Museum activity” is defined to include the operation of museums, research, collection, conservation, interpretation and exhibition of tangible or intangible heritage, as well as the use of the word “museum” for any activity, it said.
The Bill also expands enforcement provisions, including powers for authorised officers to enter premises, seize materials, access digital records and initiate investigations.
It also proposes a new enforcement division to improve compliance and oversight.
On governance, the amendment seeks to refine the board’s functions, membership structure, quorum requirements and administrative procedures, including provisions on prosecution initiation, compound offences and liability.
The state said the changes are intended to align Penang’s museum governance with international standards, including the 2022 International Council of Museums definition adopted in Prague, which emphasises museums as non-profit, public-serving institutions focused on research, conservation and education.
Private museums operating before the enactment, as well as federal or state-run museums, will be exempted from certain provisions under safeguard clauses.
The government also clarified that museums failing to meet the international definition may be more appropriately classified as galleries or exhibition halls.
Separately, the amendment proposes reducing the maximum fine under Clause 31Q from RM100,000 to RM10,000 to align with comparable legislation.
The state has approved two institutions, the Penang Straits Oriental Museum and Penang Ferry Museum, to use the “museum” designation under the existing framework.
The Bill is expected to strengthen institutional credibility, improve enforcement consistency and ensure better protection of heritage assets in the state.
