Monday, April 27, 2015

Tun Sakaran Museum officially opens in Semporna


SEMPORNA: The Tun Sakaran Museum was officially opened yesterday in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Sabah Museum.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said the museum was named after Tun Sakaran Dandai in appreciation for donating a piece of one-acre land to enable the government to build a museum.

He said the construction of the building started under the 9th Malaysian Plan while the exhibition building was constructed under the 10th Malaysian Plan and only completed in 2014. It has been opened to the public to gather feedback and suggestions for improvements.

Masidi said the museum is important in view of Semporna as a tourism hub for visitors from all over the world who are interested in the beauty of the sea. The islands around Semporna are reknowned as beautiful diving destinations which are among the best in the world. Therefore, it is most suitable that the government build a museum in Semporna as a facility for tourists who visit the district.

He said the people of Semporna also have their own uniqueness of history and culture.

“Apart from being a tourism product, the museum is also important as a center for culture and history of the Semporna community, of which the majority are Bajau,” he said yesterday.

Masidi said the museum also intends to set up a center to study Bajau history and culture.

“I was made to understand that from April 24 to 26, a dialog is going on together with the community leaders to discuss the best measures on the development of the study center,” he said.

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