An elderly Malaysian couple has closed their quaint home-museum that boasted a collection of 2,500 artefacts – some hundreds of years old – after multiple thefts.
According to reports, the couple’s ‘Rumahku Muziumku’ (‘My Home, My Museum’) first opened its doors in 2002 in Kampung Padang Temu in the south-western Malaysian state of Malacca.
Nordin Ali, 81, followed in his father’s footsteps and starting collecting artefacts from the age of 15, assembling antiques from all over the world, including the UK, China, Indonesia, Portugal and the Netherlands.
Reports said that Ali and his wife Maznah Ali, 60, opened their museum 17 years ago, displaying old gramophones, weapons, coins and centuries-old bronze artefacts.
However, the latest robbery last month resulted in the elderly couple reporting the incident to the police followed by the museum’s closure.
Ali told reporters: “Due to the latest incident, I have decided to shut down the museum from public viewing to avoid it happening again.”
According to reports, thieves stole valuable copper bowls and an antique clothes iron.
Over the years, the couple has also seen valuable rare coins, ancient daggers and antique brass objects taken from their quaint home-museum.
Ali told local media that he was not concerned so much with the financial losses, but was fed up seeing his life’s work ending up in the hands of petty thieves.
Reports said that the couple has suffered from health problems in recent years and can no longer monitor visitors who come through their doors.
As they are unable to ensure the collection’s safety, they were left with no choice but to close down.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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