NATIONAL MUSEUM (Upgrading and development)

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture whether there are plans to upgrade the National Museum and to popularize the Museum with Singaporeans in particular, and tourists in general, and when these plans will be implemented.

The Minister of State for Culture (Mr Fong Sip Chee) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a Museum Development Committee was formed in April last year with the following terms of reference to upgrade the National Museum:

1. To advise the Minister on the acquisition of historical, anthropological and an materials for display and for the reference collections.

2. To advise the Minister on the methods of presentation and display techniques, including the use of audio-visual aids in creating a more lively Museum presentation.

3. To advise the Minister on new activities to further the objectives of the Museum and improve the Museum's services to researchers, students of history and the public in general.

The Museum Development Committee has met regularly over the past year to draw up a blueprint for the development of the Museum which will meet the artistic and cultural needs of the people.

Hon. Members may wish to know that among the Museum's priorities are:-

(a) Building up of a strong Curatorial Unit which is at the moment seriously understaffed. This requires not only more staff but also greater resources devoted to staff training and professional development.

(b) Upgrading and sprucing up of the Museum premises and public galleries.

(c) Improvement of the galleries facilities and upgrading of exhibit presentation.

(d) Creation of new areas of activities and display. The Ministry plans to set up a History of Singapore Gallery in the Museum. The objective is to make a graphic presentation and explanation of the history of Singapore. The presentation must attract the interest of Singaporeans and inform them of their past. The Museum will need to recruit and appoint specialized personnel such as a qualified multi-media firm and consultant, a professional designer and a Curator of History. A history section within the Curatorial Unit will also have to be set up to direct such a programme and to service the new History of Singapore Gallery.

The Museum Development Committee and the Ministry of Culture are at present finalizing this plan and will submit it shortly to the Ministry of Finance to seek funds to implement the projects.

Work on sprucing up the Museum and upgrading public galleries has commenced and is expected to be completed in about five to six months' time. The construction of the History of Singapore Gallery and the audio-visual theatrette is expected to take two years from the date of approval of funds.

Mr Rohan bin Kamis (Telok Blangah): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister of State what attempt was made to acquire as an exhibit the giant grouper fish that was found off the beach of Sentosa for our National Museum?

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Sir, the Museum has been out of the fishy business for quite some time already. Since the establishment of the Science Centre, I believe that all the natural history exhibits have been transferred to the Science Centre in Jurong where they are properly displayed in a better environment. The role of the Museum has changed. We are concentrating now on providing more archaeological, historical and cultural exhibits so as to provide a soul to the nation.