By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Jan 9 — The state is projecting a staggering 20,000 visitors to the ‘Sons of Sidek’ exhibition from November 2023 to April this year at the Sultan Alam Shah Museum.
State executive councillor for culture Borhan Aman Shah said the free exhibition has already attracted over 5,000 visitors since its opening, with the figure set to increase during the school holidays next month.
“We will also cooperate with various quarters, including education institutions, to invite more students to visit. Parents are encouraged to come and see for themselves the success of the sons of Sidek in the badminton scene.
“The state government hopes the achievement of Sidek’s children will inspire more young people to take up badminton,” he told reporters after officiating the exhibition at the Auditorium Daeng Chelak today.
Borhan also thanked the Sidek brothers for agreeing to showcase their personal collections, including medals and trophies they won nationally and globally.
“The contribution of collections to the Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (Padat), both permanently or on loan, is truly appreciated. I hope it will encourage more people to contribute their valuable collections to the museum,” he said.
The ongoing exhibition narrates the success story of Datuk Sidek Abdullah Kamar in successfully grooming his five sons — Datuk Misbun, Datuk Razif, Datuk Seri Jalani, Abdul Rahman and Datuk Abdul Rashid — into world-renowned badminton players in his backyard at Kampung Kanchong Darat, Banting, Kuala Langat.
Among the items showcased are medals from the BWF World Championships, the All England Open Badminton Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, the SEA Games, and other awards accorded to the five siblings.
Earlier in his speech, Borhan said the state government is pushing to get Sidek’s family home in Kanchong Darat to be declared a national heritage house, which can potentially be a tourist and heritage attraction.
This also aligns with Selangor’s effort to promote tourism ahead of the Visit Selangor Year 2025.
“I hope the matter will get the approval of the Sidek family so the state government can take the next course of action,” he said.
Meanwhile, when met, Misbun commended the Selangor administration for its proposal but must confer with his family on the matter first.
“It is a great proposal, as the house is where we siblings started our badminton journey. It’s our pride, and many memories are there,” he said.
Borhan had previously said the house would remain the property of Sidek’s family and not the state government or Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, even if it is declared a national heritage.
