The Opening Ceremony of the Santubong Archaeological Park and Wallace Centre was officiated by YAB Premier Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg on 4 October 2025 at the Santubong Archaeological Site, Sungai Jaong.
      Apart from the Datu Marapati Musical Theatre performance, among the programmes carried out by YAB Premier Sarawak included the symbolic opening and handover of heritage and history books published by the Sarawak Museum Department to selected schools and IPTs.
      The Santubong Archaeological Heritage Book, a special publication of the Sarawak Museum Department in conjunction with the opening of the Santubong Archaeological Park and Wallace Centre, was also launched at the event. The year 2025 also saw the latest success of the department, when the Sarawak Museum Journal was successfully listed in the international SCOPUS database, which is recognised as a global platform for academic publications.
     YAB Premier Sarawak also took the time to visit the Sungai Jaong Gallery, Boulder Trails and Wallace Centre.The Santubong Archaeological Park, which encompasses the Sungai Jaong, Bongkissam, Bukit Maras and Wallace Centre areas, serves as a centre for learning, research and recreation based on sustainability to strengthen Sarawak's cultural identity and make Santubong an international heritage destination. Also present were YB Dato' Sri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts cum Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development of Sarawak, as well as other dignitaries.

The Closing Ceremony of the International Museum Day Festival 2025 was held on 29 July 2025 at the Frazel Expo and Convention Hall, Alor Setar, Kedah, as the culmination of the annual festival that brings together museum institutions in Malaysia in the spirit of collaboration, heritage preservation and cultural appreciation.
The Closing Dinner of the National Level International Museum Day Festival 2025 was officiated by YB Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Minister of National Unity. The ceremony was also enlivened by cultural dance performances and special singing performances by famous national singers.
The Sarawak Museum Department also actively participated throughout this festival, thus expressing its commitment to continue preserving the nation's heritage while building a network of cooperation with museums in Malaysia.
Thank you to YBhg. Datu Sherrina binti Hussaini, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Sarawak for also attending with the Sarawak contingent, as a sign of support for efforts to strengthen relationships between museum institutions.
Congratulations to the Director of the Kedah State Museum, YBrs. Mr. Suhaidi bin Shukri as the host of 2025 for the success and excitement of organizing this International Museum Day Festival.

The Sarawak Museum Department participated in the Pahang Heritage Festival which took place from 1 to 7 September 2025 at the Tunku Azizah Royal Craft Village, Pulau Keladi, Pekan. The Sarawak Museum Department exhibition stall received a visit from the Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg who was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts of Sarawak, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Also present was Her Royal Highness the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj. Meanwhile, Her Royal Highness Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah binti Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah visited the stall in the afternoon.
The presence of the Royal Entourage and the guests of honour was welcomed by the Director of the Sarawak Museum Department, Puan Nancy Hj Jolhi. At this event, the Sarawak Museum Department also held an exhibition and conservation workshop to share knowledge in the field of museum textile conservation. Thank you to the Royal Family, guests of honour and the public who visited the Sarawak Museum Department's booth.

    The Closing Ceremony of the Overnight Stay at the Museum (BDM) 2025 Programme was officiated by His Excellency Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak. The Sarawak Museum Department hosted the closing ceremony which took place at the Auditorium, Borneo Cultures Museum on 14 September 2025.
    Also present were YB Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang, Minister of National Unity and YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Sarawak.
    A total of 200 students from SMK Gedong, SMK Asajaya, SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kuching participated in this programme. A teleconference with 31 museums throughout Malaysia involved in BDM 2025 was also held. This programme, which ran simultaneously, received the participation of 2,240 participants.
    YAB Premier Sarawak also visited the Mini Exhibition of Overnight at the Museum as well as the miniatures of “Harmony in Diversity” produced by the students involved.
    Many thanks to YAB Premier Sarawak for spending time with students from museums in Malaysia who participated in this program either physically or virtually.

      The Sarawak Museum Department participated in various sporting events in conjunction with the National Level International Museum Day Festival 2025 held in Kedah Darul Aman. This participation not only promoted a healthy lifestyle among museum staff, but also strengthened ties between museum departments from across the country.
    Among the events participated by the Sarawak Museum Department were Inter-Zon Bowling, Regu Sepak Takraw, Darts, Carom, Archery, Badminton, Pickleball, 9-A-side Football, and E-Sport. Congratulations to the Sarawak Museum Department Football team who successfully secured third place in the 9-A-side Football event. The sportsmanship and cooperation shown by the participants reflected the department's commitment in upholding the values ​​of unity and team spirit at the national level.
       This participation was led by Mr. Rhemy Romeo Jamal as the Head of the Contingent, while the sports team was mobilised with enthusiasm under the leadership of Dr. Awangku Shahrir Naqiuddin as the Sports Team Manager.

      The Sarawak Museum Department’s booth at the 2025 National International Museum Day Festival has received an overwhelming response from visitors throughout the exhibition period.
     The booth also received special visits from Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen (ADUN), Alor Setar City Council Members (MBAS), visitors from various walks of life including primary and secondary school students, public and private higher education institutions (IPTA/IPTS), and the local community who were present to get to know Sarawak’s heritage treasures better.
     The booth design was carefully curated, combining cultural elements, traditional Sarawak architecture and a modern exhibition approach. Themed around a friendly atmosphere with lattice carvings, soft lighting, and interactive digital displays, the booth invites visitors to delve into Sarawak’s ethnographic and archaeological heritage.
     The focus of the exhibition is on Santubong, an area rich in nature, the legendary myths of Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang, and its history as an important trading port in the past. Visitors also had the opportunity to meet figures such as Alfred Russel Wallace, and explore archaeological sites that form an important narrative of the state’s history.
      This immersive design makes a visit to the JMS booth not just an ordinary visit, but a meaningful experience. A thousand thanks to everyone who visited the Sarawak Museum Department Booth at the Padi Museum throughout the festival.

    The Sarawak Museum Department would like to express its deepest appreciation and gratitude to all visitors who made the visit to the Borneo Cultures Museum a memorable one during the free admission on 22 July 2025 in conjunction with Sarawak Day. Throughout the day, the Borneo Cultures Museum received a total of 16,188 visitors.
     The visitors who attended consisted of various races and ages, including students, families, senior citizens and tourists from home and abroad. This very encouraging response reflects the community's continued interest and support for the cultural heritage and history of our state.
     Hopefully, the experiences gained throughout this visit can instill a love for heritage treasures and make the museum a space for shared learning and appreciation.