SHAH ALAM, Oct 28 — Cultural heritage is integral to enhancing Selangor’s “soft power” as it would shape how other societies perceive the state’s identity, traditions and achievements, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
“A state’s development is not just measured by its economic achievements, the amount of investment or the number of jobs offered, but also by what is known as ‘soft power’.
“If our culture is not highlighted, enriched, strengthened or showcased, development may become big in scale but (remain soulless), failing to reflect the character and cultural identity of our society,” he said at the Selangor Stamp Museum building handover ceremony here today.
Amirudin said the completion of the building reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening cultural institutions, with another facility, the Selangor Modern Art Museum, targeted for completion by early next year.
“We want to claim we are the most developed state in Malaysia, but in terms of culture, traditions and way of life, we also want to show that the people of Selangor have the ability to enhance and showcase their cultural heritage,” he added, stressing that museums should go beyond displaying historic objects by preserving the experiences, creativity and traditions that shape society.
“Stamps are not just images; they also preserve history,” he said.
Amirudin added that qualified collectors, heritage associations and experts will be enlisted to develop authentic, historically valuable collections for the Selangor Stamp Museum to ensure the state’s philatelic heritage is preserved for future generations.
The museum was inspired by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj’s interest in philately following a visit to a stamp exhibition in Singapore in 2011.
Planning for the Selangor Stamp Museum began in 2016, followed by state government approval in 2019 and construction in 2020 under the Selangor Public Works Department (JKR).
