THE cost of works done on the Sarawak Museum complex rose to RM323 million after the state government pumped in RM15 million to make the attraction high tech.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah said the state cabinet approved the sum to transform the museum complex – already the second-largest in Southeast Asia, with a total floor space of 6,726 sq m – into one with state-of-the-art technology.

This will bring the complex, whose natural history museum is 128 years old, into the 21st century, and on a par with the world’s major museums, he said after witnessing the handover of the new cultural museum building from contractor PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd to Sarawak Museum in Kuching today.

Renovations on the complex’s old buildings and the construction of the cultural museum and a conservatory began in January 2015, with a deadline of January next year.

Karim, who expressed happiness that the cultural museum building was completed ahead of schedule, is now asking that artefacts currently stored in several buildings in Kuching be exhibited “as soon as possible”.

“People were already talking (about the cultural museum)” when it was still under construction, he said.

“Now that it is completed, they probably can’t wait to come. This will be the city’s new icon. A new feature of the Kuching skyline.

“This will be our pride, and will turn Sarawak into a state where cultural heritage thrives.”

The natural history museum, meanwhile, has long been a major attraction.

For the first time since 1891, visitors will have to pay an entrance fee, said Karim.

He said the amount has yet to be determined, but assured that Sarawakians will enjoy a special rate. – August 9, 2019.