Law to streamline, regulate museums to be tabled by year-end, says minister

The Star

18-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry will table a specific Act by the end of this year to regulate the setting up of museums nationwide.
Its Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the Act will provide a clear legal framework for museums and to ensure these are managed effectively and sustainably.
"The Act will hopefully be tabled in November or December at Dewan Rakyat.
"We need to hold a lot of engagements with the states too, because in Malaysia we have many state museums as well as private museums. We have 22 federal museums," he told a press conference after officiating the Malaysia International Museum Day seminar 2025 themed "Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities" here on Sunday (May 18).
Aaron said apart from regulating museums in Malaysia, the Act will ensure that the museums are built for their intended purpose.
"Some museums are not museums; these are sometimes warehouses.
"We need to adhere to international standards," he said.
Department of Museums Malaysia director-general and International Council of Museums Malaysia chair Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said the Act will also include the establishment of museum councils to advise on policies, and ensuring museums do not conflict with local community norms.
"Some states like Penang and Sarawak have their own enactments, so the Act will streamline all these.
"Malaysia had the Antiquities Act which was abolished after the government introduced the National Heritage Act in 2006.
"The Antiquities Act focused more on nature as well as tangible and intangible monuments and sites.
"The new Act will focus on museum policy control, and establishing a new rating system for museums," said Kamarul.
Earlier in his speech, Aaron said Malaysia is home to 232 museums, encompassing federal level museums, state-run institutions, private
collections, and personal museums.
"As we celebrate this rich tapestry of museums, we must also acknowledge the challenges they face. Rapid societal changes, technological advancements, and the forces of globalisation present new hurdles for these institutions. The key question now is: how can museums stay relevant in this ever-evolving landscape?"