BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A TOTAL of 86,186 people visited Brunei museums from January to May this year, in the five galleries under the Museums Department purview.

The highest number was recorded at the Royal Regalia building with 53,338 followed by the department’s newest museum, Brunei Maritime Museum ranking in 15,087 visitors since it opened in March 23.

Malay Technology Museum recorded 15,933 visitors, while Tasek Merimbun Heritage Part was visited by 1,207 people. Sports Gallery at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium recorded 621 visitors.

Bubungan Dua Belas, (House of Twelve Roofs) and Museum Brunei are currently closed for renovations.

The number is the highest recorded in the last three years, said the Director of Museums, Pg Dr Karim Pg Hj Othman in an interview yesterday.

The highest number recorded was in 2012, with 238,735 visitors. The Royal Regalia accounted for the highest number of visitors with 110,535 with Brunei Museum coming in second with 98,016 visitors. The year 2013 recorded 84,786 visitors, while 2014 recorded 62,819 visitors

The director said the closure of Brunei Museum caused visible impact on the number of visitors in the last years.

Currently there are five galleries operating- Malay Technology Museum, the Royal Regalia, Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, Sports Gallery and Brunei Maritime Museums.

The director was optimistic that the number of visitors will continue to increase with the attractions of the new museum and promotional campaigns.

The Brunei Times