The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Museum is no exception as it showcases the formative years and rich heritage of the nation’s air force.
The museum – established in 1985 at the now defunct RMAF base in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur – will in two years’ time be shifted to an ultra-modern facility at Bandar Baru Sendayan, adjacent to the newly-established RMAF Sendayan base in Negeri Sembilan.
RMAF chief General Asghar Khan Goriman Khan revealed that the new museum is in the planning stages now.
In 1930, the Sungai Besi facility was originally known as Sempang Airport. The air base itself was only established on June 2, 1958 with the formation of the RMAF.
However, the RMAF Sungai Besi base was closed on March 15, 2018 following the government’s announcement in 2010 for the facility to make way for Bandar Malaysia – the delayed mixed-development central transport hub, incorporating the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail, Mass Rapid Transit, KTM Komuter, Express Rail Link and 12 other highways with an estimated gross development value of over RM140 billion.
“The new RMAF Museum is located opposite the Sri Sendayan Mosque and will be a national centre for military aviation history and education.
“The site area for this project is 3.52ha, which includes the main hangar and supporting facilities,” said Asghar.
It is learnt that the museum will have a separate access from the Sendayan air base via Kampung Felda Sendayan. This is to facilitate easier access for visitors – much like museums in Britain and Thailand.
The RMAF Sendayan base is also located opposite the Armed Forces Recreational Club which has a nine-hole golf course with a separate entrance.
Asghar said that the museum would feature a collection of aircraft – pre-war and older-generation transport and fighter aeroplanes and helicopters – that were once operated by the RMAF, as well as aviation equipment, interactive exhibitions and modern facilities such as auditoriums and research centres.
Asghar added that the defence ministry initiated a tender for the project on March 12 this year which is expected to be finalised in May.
“Construction is scheduled to begin in July and is expected to be fully completed in two years, in time for the RMAF’s 70th anniversary on June 1, 2028.
“The RMAF is committed to ensuring that the heritage of the country’s air defence assets continues to be valued and passed on to future generations.
“The development of this project will be updated in due course,” said Asghar.
It is learnt that the new museum project will cost RM45 million, and the ministry is expected to recoup costs via sponsors and entrance tickets for visitors.
The Malaysian Army Museum, located near the Army Basic Training Centre in Persiaran Pahlawan, Port Dickson charges an entrance fee for visitors.
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) on the other hand, does not have a dedicated facility but one that has been improvised. It is located in Klebang, Melaka and displays a disused Agosta 70 submarine and another maritime vessel at its Lumut base in Perak.
The Maritime Museum in Bandar Hilir, Melaka has also incorporated the RMN museum since 1995, and displays a replica of the Flor De La Mar, a treasure-laden 16th century Portuguese galleon which sank during a storm in 1511 in the Straits of Melaka.
Apart from Muzium Negara in the federal capital, the police force has their own museum in Jalan Perdana, next to the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.