JMM Proposes Establishment Of National Transport Museum

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

SEPANG, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- It is time for Malaysia to establish a national transport museum that showcases all types of vehicles used from the protohistoric era to the present day, said Malaysian Museum Department (JMM) deputy director-general (policy) Mohamad Shawali Badi.

Speaking to Bernama recently, he said the evolution of transportation in the country is a crucial aspect of historical appreciation, alongside other key concepts such as loyalty to the King and country, the Jalur Gemilang, heritage buildings and other historical values.

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“We have a collection that spans from the ancient perahu sagor to modern vehicles. This is why we believe a national transport museum is necessary to highlight their historical elements.

“Transportation also symbolises the concept of unity and proves how evolution has taken place within society. When people see a local car, it’s not just the work of a Malay engineer alone but also involves the contributions of Chinese and Indian communities. This is the message we want to convey through the transport museum,” he said.

For the record, perahu sagor is a watercraft used by the people of the past for trade, particularly in the Malay Kedah community during the 19th century.

Currently, the National Automobile Museum (NAM) located at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit is the only museum dedicated to four-wheeled vehicles.

However, Mohamad Shawali believes that this is not enough to fully demonstrate the interconnectedness between vehicle evolution and the involvement of a multiracial society in advancing the nation’s transportation sector.

“The establishment of a transport museum is on our wishlist and we will start developing a framework that will outline why Malaysia needs such a museum, along with a narrative that promotes unity among the community, especially as the 13th Malaysia Plan is set to begin soon,” he said.

While acknowledging the challenges of location and limited space in realising this aspiration, he said some parties have already expressed their intention to contribute to the development of the transport museum.

“Previously, MAHB (Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd) mentioned they have old aerotrain coaches they could donate. We can follow up with them if the intention still stands and we can also request old car models from Proton,” he said, noting that similar museums exist in Germany and Prague, Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, NAM head Safia Ismail said the museum is one of the 22 museums managed by JMM and showcases the history of automotive development in Malaysia and the achievement of local talent in manufacturing Malaysian-made motor vehicles.

She said the museum features a collection of 22 motor vehicles, including classic, vintage and first-edition models.

“We want to raise awareness about this museum, as many may not realise its existence, especially given its location at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, which is well-suited for the motor industry,” she said.

According to Safia, NAM also serves as an external reference point, particularly in motorsports. Recently, the Fuji Motorsports Museum in Japan expressed interest in collaborating with NAM for the World Forum for Motor Museums, scheduled to be held in Japan at the end of October.

Opened in 2004, NAM aims to educate the public about the history of Malaysia’s transportation system and the achievement of the motor industry.

Among the collections on display are cars that once graced Malaysian roads, including a 1904 Brushmobile, a 1923 Ford Speedster and a 1935 Alvis Tourer.

-- BERNAMA