By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 6 —The Shah Alam Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery (Sama) will be the latest tourist attraction in Selangor, says Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said after the renovation work at the gallery is completed, it will showcase the latest local and international artworks.
As of now, Amirudin said the deal to purchase a building owned by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in Shah Alam, which will house the Sama Gallery, has been concluded.
“The state already has the Shah Alam Gallery that exhibits artworks from painters and artists, but we wanted to create another similar attraction.
“The process of purchasing the building complex belonging to the BNM in the state’s capital has been completed and it will be renovated to become a modern and fine arts museum,” he said during the Bicara Bernama TV talk show last night
He added that the new gallery will serve as an art hub for creative art students and graduates.
“Since the Federal government has not fully empowered the creative art field, we want to do it. That is why it is given focus in the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
“We opined that other than the manufacturing, logistic, port and airport sectors, we also need to pay attention to the creative economy,” he said.
Amirudin when tabling the RS-1 on July 27 in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly said the state will develop an art museum to boost the tourism sector after the pandemic.
Among the projects that have been identified include Sama, which falls under the state’s tourism cluster.
