Ahmad, Abu Talib (2014) Penang museums and culture. In: 23rd International Conference of Historians of Asia 2014 (IAHA2014), 23 - 27 August 2014, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.

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Abstract

The phrase culture wars might have started in mid-19th century Germany but it came into wider usage since the 1960s in reference to the ideological polarizations among Americans into the liberal and conservative camps (Hunter, 1991; Luke, 2002). In Malaysia such wars are still non-existent but the culture competition within and among museums is as intense due to the pervasive influence of ethnicity in various facets of the national life. As a result museum foregrounding of culture (and history) have become contested (Matheson-Hooker, 2003: 1-11; Teo, 2010: 73-113; Abu Talib, 2008: 45-70; Abu Talib, 2011: 207-224). This essay looks at culture display in Penang museums notably the Penang State Museum and culture competition within and among these museums which are under the control of myriad bodies including the state Department of Museum, other government departments, a university, private organizations and individuals.The discussion is based on the scrutiny of museum exhibits, museum annual reports, writings on museums in Malaysia and interviews with members of museum board.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	ISBN 978-967-0474-76-2 Organized by: Universiti Utara Malaysia and Malaysian Historical Society (Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia).
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DS Asia
Divisions:	Centre for General Studies
Depositing User:	Mrs. Norazmilah Yaakub
Date Deposited:	10 Jun 2015 13:11
Last Modified:	27 Apr 2016 06:59
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/14432

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