Sarawak Museum Talk ICOMOS 2026 champions living heritage and stronger collaboration
KUCHING, 22 October 2026: The Sarawak Museum Talk ICOMOS 2026 brought together researchers, museum professionals, academics, policymakers, students and community representatives at the Borneo Cultures Museum today, under the theme “Living Heritage: Connecting People, Culture and Nature”.
Organised by the Sarawak Museum Department in engagement with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Malaysia, the talk drew 258 participants representing 16 ethnic groups, alongside various non-governmental organisations, associations and higher learning institutions. Delegations from the Muzium Nelayan Johor and Muzium Kedah were also present.
The programme featured two keynote addresses by Dr Ipoi Datan and Datu Dr Haji Sanib, as well as two panel discussions on the preservation of Sarawak’s cultural heritage, moderated by Professor Datin Ramlah binti Zainudin from UNIMAS and Legacy Made founder Mdm Amelia Roziman. Eight panellists, including members of the Sarawak Heritage Council, academics and Sarawak Museum Department Deputy Director Ms Yasmin Khalid Nicholls, shared their perspectives on the subject.
In her welcome speech, Director of the Sarawak Museum Department, Puan Anielia Anak Siam, said a museum’s value extends beyond the collections it holds.
“A museum is not defined only by what it keeps. It is defined by what it makes possible,” she said.
She explained that the department’s approach to heritage stewardship begins with research and expert assessment, followed by systematic registration, formal recognition where appropriate, preservation, public exhibitions and education.
“Knowledge cannot fulfil its purpose if it remains confined to archives, research papers or museum galleries. It must reach people,” she said.
Puan Anielia stressed that no institution can safeguard heritage alone, noting that researchers, universities, practitioners and communities each bring distinct strengths. She said the department’s nine strategic agreements with institutions across six countries provide a foundation for continued cooperation.
“Collaboration must be more than an exchange of goodwill. It must strengthen our people, improve our practices and create opportunities that would not have been possible if we had worked alone,” she said.
She added that the department hopes the gathering will lead to stronger professional capabilities, deeper community engagement, better documentation and conservation practices, and more opportunities for younger generations to take part in heritage work.
Puan Anielia also expressed her appreciation to Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, for his continued support, as well as to ICOMOS Malaysia and all partners and participants. The Minister was represented by Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, who delivered the address and officially launched the event.
Concluding her speech, she said the true measure of a museum lies in the people it inspires.
“The true strength of a museum is not measured by how much history it holds, but by how many people it inspires to carry that history forward,” she said.
