KUCHING: The Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) continues to cement its position as one of Sarawak’s top tourist attractions, having welcomed 117,095 visitors between January and June 16 this year alone.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the museum has recorded a cumulative total of 1,354,275 visitors since its official opening in 2022.
“Since its inauguration, nearly all dignitaries visiting Sarawak and paying courtesy calls on the Premier or the Head of State (TYT) have made it a point to visit BCM. It has now become a must-visit destination for tourists and notable leaders visiting the state,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Heritage Council meeting at a hotel here today (June 18).
Opened to the public on March 9, 2022, BCM is the largest museum in Malaysia and the second largest in Southeast Asia, with a built-up area of approximately 31,000 square metres.
The museum houses over 1,000 artefacts that reflect the rich cultural diversity and heritage of Borneo, and is equipped with interactive technology, including audio-visual exhibits and augmented reality (AR) experiences.
Abdul Karim also shared updates on Sarawak’s efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for the Sarawak Delta Geopark project. He said the Sarawak Museum Department, in collaboration with the Sarawak Forest Department and other related agencies, is working actively towards this goal.
“I’ve been informed that a team of UNESCO evaluators will be in Sarawak from June 23 to 26 to assess key locations, including Bau and surrounding coastal areas, before preparing their official report.
“We hope this visit will lead to formal recognition, positioning the Sarawak Delta Geopark as another new tourism product to be promoted globally,” he said.
At present, Sarawak is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park in Miri.
