The Museums Department, through the Belait District Museum, held the ‘Mettae Belait Kitah’ programme yesterday to raise awareness on the various ethnic groups in the Belait District, in conjunction with International Museum Day 2024.
Legislative Council member and Penghulu of Mukim Bukit Sawat Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman officiated the launch at the Belait District Museum, Jalan Maulana, Kuala Belait.
Acting Director of the Museums Department Pengiran Haji Rosli bin Pengiran Haji Halus, as the chairman of the ceremony, in his opening speech said that ‘Mettae Belait Kitah’, which translates to ‘Know Our Belait’ from Bahasa Belait, was a one-day programme organised by the Belait District Museum and the Museums Department to promote the cultures of ethnic groups in Belait.
“In line with the International Museum Day theme this year, ‘Museums for Education and Research’, this programme aimed to foster interest in Belait ethnic groups through exhibitions and cultural activities,” he said.
Pengiran Haji Rosli also touched on the importance of the youth in recognising and understanding the cultures that exist in the country to ensure the sustainability of the Sultanate’s cultural heritage.
He also hopes that the programme has had a positive impact on the public, especially in fostering an interest in the culture and history of the district, while enhancing research and preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
Apart from the existing exhibitions at the galleries of the Belait District Museum, the programme also provided several cultural and museum activities, led by the Museums Department, such as traditional games, archaeological excavations and traditional costumes corner, as well as interactive quizzes and competitions for visitors of all ages.
In addition, book sales featuring literature published by the Museums Department, the Language and Literature Bureau and the Brunei History Centre were also held along with the sale of Belait District Village Consultative Council (MPK) products.
Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan also attended the event along with students and members of the public from across the district. – Daniel Lim
