Kedah Sultan gives nod to UUM’s RM15m Kedah Tua Museum plan

Kedah Sultan Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah has approved the Universiti Utara Malaysia's (UUM) plan to construct a Kedah Tua Museum, aiming to safeguard and showcase the state's historical treasures and heritage. The project, valued at RM15 million, includes building a new structure, public exhibition areas, digital exhibition spaces, a conservation laboratory, artefact storage, research and management facilities.

The museum will exhibit various aspects of Kedah's ancient civilisation, such as governance, topography, history, and the Sungai Batu civilisation. Among the artefacts displayed will be swords, iron ore, furnaces, and currency. The Sultan made this announcement during UUM's 39th Convocation Ceremony, also bestowing degrees upon 105 graduates.

The Sultan expressed hope that the government would prioritize the project and consider it a tourism attraction, and that philanthropists would contribute to its realization. He also reminded the graduates that their newfound degrees signify the commencement of their duties and responsibilities. During the convocation, which took place from November 15 to 19 at UUM's Dewan Mu’adzam Shah, a total of 6,442 graduates received their diplomas.

The Royal Education Award was presented to Irfan Umar Mohd Nor Fazly and Ooi Sze Qin, while Aina Najihah Safaruddin received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal, which came with a cash prize of RM5,000.