StarMetro spotted a small sign outside the gate informing the public of the “operational closure” on Jan 9, and that the public could contact the Museums Department at the number and address stated in the notice.

A notice put up outside the building informing people that the museum is closed.

A notice at the entrance of the museum informing visitors of the closure

Several students from SMK Subang Utama in Subang Jaya, being unaware of the closure, made a trip specifically to view the exhibition of the traditional musical instruments, only to find out that their journey was in vain after seeing a sign placed outside the museum gates.

“I was disappointed,” said a student who only wished to be identified as Melissa.

“We wanted to check out the museum since last year, but kept postponing our visit because of various reasons.

“When we finally got everyone together, the museum had shut down,” she lamented.

C.K. Yap echoed Melissa’s sentiments saying: “It is really sad to come all the way here, only to be told it has closed down.”

Japanese tourists Mariko and Aki were equally disappointed when they discovered the closure.

They wanted to kill time at the music museum before the matinee of the local musical Mud at Panggung Bandaraya across the road.

Silent days

A volunteer at the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery next door Raja Shaharail Nasir Raja Shukri said he only got to know of the closure very recently when he was on duty at the gallery.

“I was disappointed, mostly because I was promoting the museum on my Facebook page.

“Although entry to the museum was free, the place was quiet on most days.

“It was strange that its closure was not publicised by the department,” added Raja Shaharail.

The closure took some by surprise as the music museum was in operation for less than two years. It started on Aug 1, 2015.

The museum showcased musical instruments from the different ethnic communities of Malaysia and information on each instrument’s history and its cultural role.

It featured traditional Malay musical instruments such as rebana ubi, gamelan, and various piped instruments. There were also Chinese and Indian traditional instruments as well as instruments from Sabah and Sarawak.

On some days, there were live performances.

Despite the free admission, the museum failed to attract the crowd.

Reviews on TripAdvisor showed that there were mixed opinions about the museum.

Some visitors said it was small but nice and interesting, while others commented that it was not worth their time as there was nothing much to see.

Notes of uncertainty

Museums Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said the department was in the midst of scouting for a new location for the music museum.

“The building belongs to the Selangor government and they have new rules now.

“Previously, the arrangement was more flexible but not anymore,” he said without elaborating.

When asked where the musical instruments were kept for the time being Kamarul Baharin said they were currently in the department’s storage.

A Selangor government official, who did not want to be identified, acknowledged that there was an agreement previously with the Museums Department for them to use the building.

“Before, they could use the building free of charge,” said the official, adding that perhaps the department’s administration was not agreeable to pay rent.

When asked what would become of the building, the official said: “The state government has not made a decision yet.”