Fiesta Uniti @ Muzium Kota Kayang - An Effort To Revitalise, Popularise Museums

KANGAR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- The Fiesta Uniti @ Kota Kayang Museum in Kuala Perlis, held today and tomorrow, aims to revitalise and popularise museums by transforming them into dynamic spaces that connect people with the nation’s heritage, history and civilisation.

National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the fiesta exemplifies the synergy between culture, art and community, featuring a wide range of activities such as interactive exhibitions, traditional performances, heritage workshops, sales of local products and educational activities for children.

"All this demonstrates that museums can serve as spaces that unite people through shared cultural experiences," he said when speaking at the opening of the fiesta and the “Rumah Hijau”  Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, at the Kota Kayang Museum near here today.

“Rumah Hijau”  is the birthplace of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

Also in attendance was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid.

Aaron said the initiative aligns with the ministry’s aspirations to foster nation-building through a deeper understanding of history, national identity and self-respect.

"In addition, the Fiesta Uniti at the Kota Kayang Museum also featured the inauguration of the Rumah Hijau, the birthplace of His Royal Highness the Raja of Perlis, one of the main highlights of the event.

"The efforts by the Malaysian Department of Museums (JMM), in collaboration with the Perlis government, in preserving and maintaining the Rumah Hijau are highly commendable, given its immense historical and cultural significance to both the state and nation," he said.

Aaron said that the main challenge for museums today is not merely to preserve artefacts but to reshape the public's perception of what a museum represents.

Hence, the ministry, through JMM, has introduced various more dynamic and inclusive initiatives, such as the fiesta, he added.

He said the new approach transforms museum spaces into centres of social interaction and learning, a place where families can relax, students can explore and the public can reconnect with their cultural roots in an open and inclusive atmosphere.

"More importantly, the history showcased in museums is not just about telling stories of the past, it serves as the foundation for building a harmonious and prosperous nation," he said

Aaron expressed his appreciation to JMM staff, especially the management of the Kota Kayang Museum, for their continued commitment and dedication to making the museum a dynamic, competitive and relevant heritage institution.

He said the  spirit of cooperation and unity demonstrated through the organisation of the fiesta is truly commendable and reflects the shared passion for preserving the nation’s cultural legacy.

"It is hoped that this spirit will continue to thrive at every level of society in upholding and safeguarding the country’s heritage, aligned with the government’s aspiration to promote the values of unity and harmony that exist within our diverse religious, racial and cultural landscape,” he said.

Meanwhile, he highlighted that under the supervision of the JMM, a total of 437,046 valuable collections were recorded from 1963 to 2024, making the museum institution one of the nation’s key custodians of the nation's heritage and identity in Malaysia.

“Of this total, 322,966 archaeological collections, including ceramic fragments, stone, metal and wooden tools, beads, stone sculptures, and charcoal.

“Additionally, there are 37,414 ethnological collections representing cultural treasures such as personal ornaments, traditional textiles, weapons, musical instruments, masks, leather puppets, stamps, and currency.

“Not to be overlooked, a total of 76,666 natural specimens are also preserved, encompassing birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, as well as geological specimens,” he said.

-- BERNAMA