10-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Museum memorialises Nipah virus epidemic of 27 years ago
The Sg Nipah Time Tunnel Museum, which opened seven years ago, sees about 400 visitors monthly. (Bernama pic)
PORT DICKSON : The Nipah virus outbreak that claimed more than 100 lives in several villages around Bukit Pelanduk here about 27 years ago remains a memory difficult to erase in the minds of local residents.
To commemorate the tragedy and to ensure the significance of the epidemic is not lost on future generations, the Sungai Nipah Time Tunnel Museum opened in Kampung Baru Sungai Nipah seven years ago.
The museum, which displays key moments from the beginning of the outbreak to the recovery process, has received an encouraging response from visitors.
'The event is memorialised in the museum to educate the community about the history and resilience of the community when facing the crisis,' said Cheng Khai Lee, Kampung Baru Sungai Nipah village development and security committee chairman.
'It is interesting for the public to experience. In fact, the father of the museum's chairperson is said to be the first individual to have contracted the virus, which spread by bat-to-human transmission.'
Cheng noted that on average, close to 400 people visit the museum every year, including those from outside Negeri Sembilan.
'The school holidays are the busiest,' he added, noting that, as the museum is not open every day, visitors have to make an appointment.
The museum contains info on the outbreak and items from that time, including newspaper clippings, photos, and agricultural tools. (Bernama pic)
The epidemic wiped out the swine-farming industry in Bukit Pelandok. Cheng, who had been 10 at the time, recalled his mother telling him to pack as they had to move because the village was closed and tightly guarded by police and the military.
'It is bittersweet to remember; many died because of the virus, in addition to the large herds of pigs being culled,' he said.
Meanwhile, resident Winnie Lee Le Hoong, 50, said the establishment of the museum was important to raise awareness on the incident and educate the public to ensure it does not recur.
Lee, whose uncles had to dispose of livestock, highlighted that the museum contains information on the outbreak and items from that time, including newspaper clippings, photos, and agricultural tools.
Learn more about the Sg Nipah Time Tunnel Museum on Facebook.
Sg Nipah Time Tunnel Museum
Kampung Sungai Nipah,
71960 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: 012-361 8728
