KUANTAN: The public is encouraged to donate ancient art and artifacts from their own household collection to be displayed at museums, National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad said.
The Museums Department, he said, had introduced the artifact donation campaign in a bid to attract the public to come forward and hand over personal artifacts.
"It includes a wide range of high-value antique items including textiles, artwork, copper, and plates and bowls that have rich heritage and artistic craftsmanship.
"There might be items kept for generations with cultural and natural values.
"Sometimes people do not know the value of the items (artifacts) in their possession. Museums are the best place to put them on display rather than keeping them at home...the items will be restored and recorded before exhibited.
"We do not want our artifacts(from Malaysia) to end up being collected abroad and people travel to other places to learn about our history," he told reporters after opening the two-day Semarak@Muzium Sungai Lembing programme here today.
Present was National Museum Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim.
Meanwhile, Hasnol Zam Zam admitted the campaign faced challenges from private collectors who offered lucrative money to get their hands on some of the priced artifacts.
"There are collectors, companies and some even become agents to look for artifacts related to artwork or wars.
"It has become a newfound wealth.....the government is racing with these people to ensure others do not get their hands on the artifacts which are critical to the history of our country," he said.
Hasnol Zam Zam said the Department of Museums Malaysia which set a target of 2 million visitors to its 22 museums across the country in 2024 has attracted 1.3 million visitors in the first eight months of this year.
"There has been an encouraging increase at the museums and the management of each museum has been told to organise suitable programmes to lure more people to drop by.
"Their programmes cater to people from various age groups," he said.
Those interested in donating their antiques can visit www.jmm.gov.my or email details about their collection along with a picture to koleksi@jmm.gov.my.