KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- "The Hidden Wonders of Malaysia” campaign, a collaboration between the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM), through the Natural History Museum, and Aquaria KLCC, was launched today to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving the country’s biodiversity.
JMM deputy director-general (Policy) Mohamad Shawali Badi officiated the launch ceremony.
JMM said that the Natural History Museum, which serves as the Guardian of the Specimens Collection, is responsible for preserving and safeguarding the country’s biodiversity heritage through its collection of natural history specimens of scientific and educational value.
"Through this campaign, the public will have the opportunity to take a closer look at various preserved specimens, particularly those with historical value and unique characteristics, thus increasing public awareness and appreciation of the importance of preserving the country’s biodiversity heritage,” it said in a statement.
The collaboration between JMM, through the Natural History Museum, and Aquaria KLCC aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability efforts by integrating expertise from the public and private sectors.
The collaboration also serves as a strategic knowledge-sharing platform, with JMM contributing its taxidermy expertise, while Aquaria KLCC provides visitors with a more dynamic and engaging learning experience, it added.
It said that Aquaria KLCC proposed the collaboration to showcase “Malaysia’s Hidden Wonders”, a three-month exhibition combining the experience of viewing live marine life with preserved natural history specimens.
"This approach is crucial to providing visitors with a more comprehensive understanding of the physical characteristics, anatomy and actual behaviour of a species through a more holistic, interactive and easy-to-understand educational narrative,” it added.
By combining natural history specimen displays with live marine life, the collaboration aims to raise public awareness of species extinction issues and the importance of protecting ecosystems for future sustainability.
"The collaboration also strengthens the image of the Natural History Museum as a Federal Government institution responsible for housing, preserving and making accessible a large collection of specimens that form part of the country's biodiversity heritage.
"This initiative will increase publicity and public awareness of the existence and role of the Natural History Museum, while also serving as a strategic platform in preparation for the development of Malaysia’s first Natural History Museum,” JMM added.
-- BERNAMA