OVER 300 artefacts, with some dating back to the 14th century, are being proudly displayed at the Straits & Oriental Museum in St Jo’s Gurney Paragon Mall.
As visitors set their sights on the interesting artefacts, which are mostly collections of porcelain and ceramics, they will be intrigued by a giant Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) ancestor hall iron bell which is placed at the centre of the 10,000sq ft museum.
The Straits & Oriental Museum, by Ming Museum Sdn Bhd, was the first private museum in Penang to be recognised by the Penang Museum Board.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the private museum has been approved and validated by the Penang Museum Board under the Museum Board Enactment (Penang) 2020.
“According to Part VI (Management of Museum activities) Section 30 (1) of the Museum Board Enactment (Penang) 2020, any person who wants to open any museum; carry out museum activities privately; or for commercial purposes; or use the name of the museum in the branding of its activities, must first obtain the approval and permission of the state authority.”
Yeoh said Ming Museum Sdn Bhd applied to the Penang Museum Board on Aug 12 last year (2022) for permission and approval to open the Straits & Oriental Museum.
“The Penang Museum Board inspected the Straits & Oriental Museum on Aug 15 and Sept 12 last year (2022). The museum exhibits collections of ceramics and porcelain found in shipwrecks during the Song, Ming and Qing Dynasty eras, among others.
“The facts and explanations displayed at the museum do not contradict the history of the state and local history in general. The captions are clear and informative,” Yeoh said, adding that the Penang executive council (exco) meeting approved Ming Museum Sdn Bhd’s application on March 8 this year to open the Straits & Oriental Museum – a private and commercial museum at St Jo’s Gurney Paragon Mall.
Ming Museum Sdn Bhd Group executive chairman Ooi Wei Ming was grateful to the Penang government and the Penang Museum Board for the recognition.
“Building a museum requires immense dedication and time. This museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Penang’s rich heritage.
“In general, museums play a crucial role in safeguarding cultural heritage, allowing people to experience history first-hand. They also ensure that our future generations do not forget our valuable past,” he told a media conference at St Jo’s Gurney Paragon Mall today.
Ooi hoped that the Straits & Oriental Museum would become a sanctuary of knowledge for the visitors.
“We appreciate the support of the Penang government and the Penang Museum Board in shaping our vision and helping us to reach new heights together. We also welcome potential collaborations to grow together,” he said.
Also present at the media conference was Penang Museum Board officer Muhamad Hanafi Zulkifli.
For details, call 012-2080566, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Straits & Oriental Museum Facebook page.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis