NATIONAL MUSEUM (Drop in number of visitors)

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Information and the Arts why the number of visitors to the National Museum dropped from a high of 406,900 in 1985 to 203,103 in 1993 despite the extensive upgrading works done.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Information and the Arts (Encik Mohamad Maidin B P M) (for the Minister for Information and the Arts): Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1985, as part of the 20th National Day celebrations, the National Museum reopened with new attractions including a diorama depicting historical scenes since 1819, an 18-projector sight and sound presentation on Singapore, a new Straits Chinese Gallery, a Trade Ceramics Gallery and a 15-minute multi-slide show on Singapore River, Chinatown, Serangoon Road and Kampong Glam. A special effort was made to get school children to attend. This resulted in the high visitorship that year. The visitorship gradually declined in the following three years after the novelty wore off.

In 1989/1990, the National Museum was closed for repairs. The entire timber roof of the building and part of the timber floor had to be replaced due to termite infestation. The dome was also restored. It reopened in November 1990 with the permanent displays remaining largely unchanged. We started organising special exhibitions.

Last year, the Children's Discovery Gallery and the Art Gallery were closed for air-conditioning works. The visitorship of 203,100 for 1993 did not include 40,100 students who came on guided school visits. It should have been included. The total visitorship for 1993 was in fact 243,200. This year, we expect the number to be more than 250,000.

To get a total picture of museum visits in Singapore, we must include visitorship to The Empress Place Museum. The 1993 visitorship figure was 275,000. Thus, total visitorship to the National Museum and Empress Place Museum together in 1993 was 538,200 compared to 406,900 in 1985.