KPN Launches Digital Museum, Allowing Visitors To View Collections In Entirety

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) launched a digital museum using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies as part of the digitalisation programme for the Natural History Museum Collection Digitisation and Virtual Exhibition Programme here today.

Its secretary-general, Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, said that the initiative under the Malaysian Museum Department (JMM) is a progressive step in transforming museum institutions to face the digital era and allows visitors to explore collections in 360 degrees.

"So far, JMM has successfully digitised 255 collections encompassing various valuable artifacts and flora and fauna specimens. Out of the 255 collections, 135 units are ethnological collections representing the diverse races and ethnicities in Malaysia, while the remaining 120 are flora and fauna specimens.

"Among the iconic artifacts that have been digitised are the first flag of the Federation of Malaya, the HMS Malaya Cup, the Cupak Sirih Sultan Abdul Samad, and numismatic collections such as gold coins from the era of Sultan Zainal Abidin II," she said to the media here today.

Hazlina said that for natural specimens, there are 32 mammals, 35 birds, 20 insects, 14 herpetofauna (cold-blooded specimens), six marine specimens, and 13 botanical specimens produced through 3D scanning.

Meanwhile, JMM director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said the transformation programme involves a large allocation.

“This commitment is translated through the implementation of several large-scale digitalisation initiatives with a total value of around RM5 million by 2025, encompassing the comprehensive development of the digital ecosystem under this department," he said.

The KPN aims for 7,000 to 10,000 visitors to browse the virtual exhibition, but is optimistic that the number will increase due to more open and inclusive digital access for all segments of society.

-- BERNAMA