Penang Museum officially ‘reopened’ after delicate touch-ups

PENANG Museum was officially reopened last night by the Yang di -Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib after a lapse of nine years, as the state needed to comply with the Unesco George Town World Heritage Site Category 1 Building.

Conservation and preservation were done with delicate touches and compliance with the heritage requirements before the building could be declared open.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the efforts undertaken by the state were a testament to the state's conviction to preserve its history, heritage and identity.

"It is a big win for the heritage community," said Chow, while also advocating that the facility along Farquhar Street will enhance the tourism standing here.

"With the opening of the museum, there is an effort not to forget our past. We may have developed rapidly, but we will not forget our roots," said Chow.

The museum was first established in 1965, and at one time, a statue resembling Francis Light, who had transformed the state into an entrepôt and trading hub from 1786, was placed there.

This year marks the 240th anniversary.

It was said that the statute was inspired by a portrait of Col William Light, a land surveyor, who went on to found Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.

Francis Light has now become a controversial anecdote in history over how he came into possession of Penang with differing versions emerging.

The museum is managed by the state museum board director, Haryany Mohamad.

The upgrading of the museum costs RM18 million with a major sum devoted towards conserving the originality of the Category One museum.

There are now 15 exhibition spaces with 1,200 artefacts of Penang's rich history, culture and heritage, which earned the state an outstanding universal value of diversity in heritage, culture and traditional arts and crafts.

Archaeologist Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw of Universiti Sains Malaysia said that the restored museum would help deepen public understanding of the state's history.

"The restoration and reopening of the Penang State Museum is a long-awaited development. It provides an opportunity not only to conserve the historic building, but also to renew the way Penang's history and heritage are presented to the public," the award-winning archaeologist said. – July 24, 2026