Museums to get digital and AI facelifts


Modernising museums: (From left) Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy and strategic planning) Mohamad Sobri Mat Daud, deputy minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj, Aaron, secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid and deputy secretary-general (management) Datuk Mohamad Azhan Md Amir at the launching ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Two five-year plans have been launched by the National Unity Ministry, charting its future direction as it pushes for greater digitalisation and the increased use of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The National Unity Ministry Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and the Digitalisation Strategic Plan 2026-2030, which was launched yesterday at Muzium Negara, will serve as the ministry’s reference document for the coming five years for its strategic direction.

According to the Ministry Strategic Plan, it encompasses 12 strategies and 33 initiatives that will be implemented in the five-year span.

“As part of a new approach, the plan introduces a more systematic monitoring framework through the use of the Policy Impact Assessment (PIA) rubric.

“The rubric will serve as the primary instrument for monitoring the implementation of the operational plan and measuring the progress of each strategic thrust, strategy and initiative more effectively.

“This will ensure that every action undertaken delivers a clear and measurable impact on the nation-building agenda and the promotion of national unity,” National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said at the launch yesterday.

On the digitalisation plan, the minister said that it would focus on three main points, which are strengthening the integrated digital service delivery ecosystem, as well as digital governance while also enhancing ICT capa- bilities and enhancing secure digital infrastructure based on advanced technologies.

“To see this through, the Digitalisation Strategic Plan will also encompass seven strategies, 21 programmes and 55 subprogrammes that will be launched in phases throughout its duration,” he said.

On the current efforts to modernise museums, Aaron added that digitalisation is now no longer an option but a necessity.

“The digitalisation of museums is a necessity and is no longer merely an option in today’s digital era.

“I would like to record my highest appreciation to the Malaysia Museums Department for successfully implementing several key digitalisation projects last year,” he said.

These include the development of the Malaysia Museums Department’s Digital Networking Ecosystem, the development of the National Heritage Artifact Digital Collection and the development of the Natural History Museum Virtual Exhibition.

“This transformation momentum will continue this year through several new strategic initiatives.

“Among them is the development of immersive content at the Muzium Negara through the creation of interactive exhibitions based on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies.

“In addition, the Digital Exhibition at the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum will also be developed through the creation of a virtual exhibition platform to showcase the heritage and valuable artefacts housed there to the public,” he said.

Malaysia Museums Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said two new immersive experiences were in the works including the 1957 Proclamation of Independence.

“The immersive experience that we are planning for Muzium Negara is to recreate the Proclamation of Independence, so we can give the ambience of actually being there at Stadium Merdeka.

“Another thing that we are working on is at Sungai Lembing Museum where one can experience the underground tin ore operations,” he said.

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