Exhibition dedicated to TYT opens at museum

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KOTA KINABALU: An exhibition dedicated to Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin was officially declared open at the State Museum here yesterday.

The annual exhibition, “Long Live His Excellency” , organised in conjunction with His Excellency’s 59th birthday, will be on until end of December.

Speaking at the launching ceremony yesterday, Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun pointed out how multiracial and multicultural Sabah had managed to live harmoniously despite our differences, due to having the Head of State as the umbrella institution in the state.

“The harmony, prosperity and welfare of our people had been secured through our unity under this institution and in order to ensure the continuity of this security, we ought to uphold this institution,” he said, adding that the exhibition was one way of educating the people, especially the youth, about the royal institution.

The exhibition is divided into three categories, namely the Biography of His Excellency Head of State, ‘Sabah Tanah Airku’ which depicts North Borneo or Sabah before its independence, and ‘Malaysia Merdeka’ which tells the story of Sabah and her independence achieved through joining Malaya to form Malaysia.

Touching on the roles of the museum, Masidi pointed out how it played an important role in both education and tourism.

“Educating the people on the history of our forefathers has a way of making us realize how lucky and grateful we are to be able to live in such harmony and prosperity through which we owe to their sacrifices and struggles.

“And when historical sites are discovered and developed through archaic institutions like the museum, it becomes attractions which then contribute to the tourism sector,” he said, adding that efforts of searching for other possible historical sites were now being carried out since the discovery of the pre-historic location in Bingkor recently.

State Museum director Joanna Kitingan said the special features in this year’s exhibition included displays on the costumes, (Barrister) wig, and chairs used by His Excellency during his time as the State Assembly Speaker, as well as his favorite books.

Nostalgic photos of the Head of State are also digitally showcased.

The exhibition is now open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are priced at RM2 for locals, and RM15 for foreign tourists.

Also present at the official opening ceremony yesterday was Deputy Chief Minister cum organising chairperson of the 2012 Merdeka Month and His Excellency’s 59th official birthday celebration main committee, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.