SHAH ALAM: Following the first report on the tender to develop a new RMAF museum at Sendayan airbase, the service has given more details about it. The details were published on Free Malaysia Today website on March 27.
The report stated that:
“The new RMAF Museum is located opposite the Sri Sendayan Mosque and will be a national centre for military aviation history and education.
“The site area for this project is 3.52ha, which includes the main hangar and supporting facilities,” said Asghar.
It is learnt that the museum will have a separate access from the Sendayan air base via Kampung Felda Sendayan. This is to facilitate easier access for visitors – much like museums in Britain and Thailand.
The RMAF Sendayan base is also located opposite the Armed Forces Recreational Club which has a nine-hole golf course with a separate entrance.
For the full report go here.
The report also said the cost of the project will be RM45 million even though the indicative cost of the tender is RM40 million. The report also said the cost of the new museum will be recouped via ticket sales and sponsorship, which to me is mere fantasy.
The airbase is located out of the way – unlike the Army and RMN museums in Port Dickson and Malacca – which will mean that the museum will not have a steady stream visitors. If they want to recoup the cost of building the museum, perhaps they should built it at the Bandar Malaysia, which is the site of the former Sg Besi airbase. It will be right smack in the centre of Kuala Lumpur and visitors will be able to get there via public transport.
Anyhow, from the artist renderings of the new museum it appears that some of the airplanes will be put out in the open without any protection. This is a mistake I believe. This is shown by the condition of the aircraft displayed at the former museum at Sg Besi. Most had turned into rust bucketsby the time they were moved to the former police air wing headquarters waiting their turn to be move to Sendayan.
–Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
What needs to be done is to register the museum as a charitable entity, so that any monetary contributions will be tax deductible.
That will bring in the money
That is what most western museums set up as.
For example all RAF museums in UK have no entry fees. But visitors are encouraged to contribute and all contributions are tax deductible.
As for location, why not include it in subamg airport redevelopment plans?
ASTC hangar in kuantan (former mig service hangar) is also an ideal location as it can be accessed from outside of the military base.
It’s been a while since I do any kind of taxes works. But if my memory are coming. All donations to gov agencies and departments (except for the under table kind) are taxes deductable. Thought it doesn’t stop some from trying to claims taxes deductable to the under table kind of donations.
Also from what I understand, the current plan for BM would see the hanger at SG besi would still stay. Thought would be repurposed
As for why the museum is not at kuantan or subang or stayed at SG besi. Well we are a developing country. If we have the ability to make good decision then we’ll already be a develop one already.
Zaft – “Well we are a developing country. If we have the ability to make good decision then we’ll already be a develop one already”
What load of bloody nonsense. You saying that developed ones don’t make bad decisions? Since you have a knack going off the reservation in lala land fashion why not talk about about inflation in Niger or the gang problem in Salvador whilst you’re at it.
… – “For example all RAF museums in UK have no entry fees”
Aviation ones I can think of is the RAF museum in Hendon, north London, Duxford [on the site of a former RAF WW2 station] near Cambridge] and the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. I was in Duxford in 94, there was an entry fee. Same with the Imperial War Museum which Duxford is part of. The Army Museum if I remember correctly has no entry fee.
… – “As for location, why not include it in subamg Airport
redevelopment plans”
Probably because those in charge of it prefer something which can generate substantial revenue as opposed to a museum in which only a tiny minority will visit and probably only once.
.. – “That is what most western museums set up as”
True but Western museums cater to a whole diffrent target audiences in countries with much longer histories and where public interest is much higher. Also those museums tend to have more events or occasions which are possible due to various reasons.
Nuri has a long history with TUDM. Make Nuri as one chapter for exibit, put 3 airframes, each exact patterned from Darurat Kedua & post Darurat. Perhaps a mock up of Nuri landing in a tight jungle LZ for resup during Darurat or small patch of dry land in the sea from Ops Tugu.
Highlighting Nuri’s service & indirectly Darurat Kedua at this museum maybe can help remind us the nation’s history.
Yes fully agreed but the problem is stuff like that can only attract so many visitors and for so long.
Something needs to be done to attract a decent amount of visitors over a longer period. That’s the challenge given we don’t have a long history, that there’s only so much we can show in a museum and that public interest is limited. I mention all these points because there has been talk so what Western museums are doing and if we can do the same.
Azlan “What load of bloody nonsense. You saying that developed ones don’t make bad decisions?”
Not making any single mistake? What kind of idiots would even think that is statistically possible?
Personally I know you know what people means. If not you can’t replied to them. It just you can’t help yourself to Play with nuances to win an internet arguments.
Zaft – “Not making any single mistake”.
Who said anything about not making a “single” mistake?
Zaft – “What kind of idiots would”.
What kind of “idiot” fails time and again to read what was written before hastily replying?
Zaft – “Personally I know you know what people means. If not you can’t replied to them. It just you can’t help yourself to Play with nuances to win an internet arguments”
I suspect I’m not the only one who often has no idea what you’re getting at. For that matter I doubt you even know yourself what you’re trying to say. An example of a nonsensical statement is your “If we have the ability to make good decision then we’ll already be a develop one already”. You mentioned something about “idiots”?
There are so much that can be done to make an Air Force museum exciting, historical and informative. Museums needs to be be able to generate as much income as it can and not rely totally on govt assistance. In this case, I see the Sedayan museum a missing alot of opportunities.
Firstly, its location is far and not easily accessible. Would suggest using either Subang or Kuantan as a better location. Older Hangers may offer better protection for preserving the static displays. Tours and historical talks could be organised. Runways can be used for flight experience tours – either on newer aicraft or vintage flights. There are so many Museums that offers these opportunities such as RAF Cosford, RAF Duxford, RAAF Point Cook, National Museum of the US Air Force to name a few. Open days are enhanced with air shows too. Outdoor areas can be semicovered for display items such as RMAF auxillary equipement, etc
I see Sedayan only offering Static Displays and this will no be enough to attract visitors
Charlie,
Yes a lot of things can be done but ultimate it all boils down to money. Foreign museums can do many things because there is greater overall interest, more activities which constantly evolve, a longer history with more exhibits, funding comes from various sources, etc. Over here the average Malaysian might go once but never again and the bulk of tourists aren’t the type wbo will visit military museums. Sendayan and the army museum in PD aren’t the Bovington Tank Museum and the Imperial War Museum.
Someone else also mentioned “historic flights” but this isn’t Britain or Australia which has a culture of maintaining and preserving aircraft, most of which are civilian owned.
As it is the services are running on a tight budget, never mind a locating resources for things of historical significance. Priority lies elsewhere and private companies are unlikely to want to commit. So how does the museum support itself?
Sendayan as a location is not great but then other more strategic or accessible locations will be on land with great commercial value and will used for something which can generate money.
Agree with the commenters, its off to a bad start by locating it somewhere in boondocks. Who would have interest to go so far to visit? TUDM Sendayan staffers?
Based on the artwork, the facility isnt anything impressive that would need a new building erected. Imho from the looks, just about any old factory space or massive warehouse will do just fine and smack middle Selangor/Shah Alam are plenty industrial lots/ former factories/ large warehouses that could easily fill them except large planes like Hercs (which still is manageable if one is creative with limited spaces). These areas are also great as their roads are typically bigger & wider for lorries so tour buses can easily go around.
As for interest, I think it misses the mark to target adult esp local Msians. When I was at IWM London, there were only handfuls adult tourists, but there were plenty of schoolkids on excursion lawatan sambil belajar. Many I saw were given tasks to fact find historical info there. To me, this is the target audience for our museums and many of these kids will even come back as adults. When I was a kid this is what I did before, not sure if still do but defo such tours will bring steady stream of income to any museum.
“When I was at IWM”
It also excellent archives which are a valuable resource for writers, researchers and historians. There are also an audio archive with lots of interesting stuff on the Emergency.
“To me, this is the target audience for our museums”
Yes but how many will actually return and on what level of frequency? Because of the large number of exhibits and long history one really needs more than one visit to the IWM, Duxford, Army National Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Royal Marines Museum, Parachute Regiment Museum and Bovington Tank Museum. New things are always being added. With the RMAF museum one can cover everything in one visit and new exhibits will hardky be added.
“lots of interesting stuff on the Emergency.”
When I was there 2 years ago, the main floors covered much of WW1, combating Irish insurgency (which no doubt the Irish would take umbrage at depiction their fight for independence) & modern day terrorism, and covert ops. Little about our Emergency era. The same with British Museum, was hoping to see some our colonial history but none. I guess they whitewash any potential international/diplomatic triggerpoints.
“Yes but how many will actually return”
There are hundreds of schools in Msia and a kid goes thru 11 years of schooling. There are plenty of returns from each school, kindergartens, & private schools, some might come when younger grade and return on another excursion at high school. Perhaps 10% of past visitors would return as adults of interest or with their own kids. Still a lot when you consider Msia has millions of kids.
The only problem is actually our history, its far uneventful with more history of being colonised & defeated than any military glory. Even our airforce sole glory is probably with the Nuris as army backbone in the defeat of Communism. That and TLDM chopper snipping Somalian pirates. Otherwise we have nothing to be proud of to tell.
“When I was there 2 years ago#
Use to go every few months when I was there but the last visit was during a short trip in 2003. The theme then in the temporary exhibit section was the Holocaust.
“Even our airforce sole glory is probably with the Nuris as army backbone in the defeat of Communism. That and TLDM chopper snipping Somalian pirates. Otherwise we have nothing to be proud of to tell”
There’s actually quite a bit more than that but most will not be of interest to the average person.
“Little about our Emergency era”
For that one needs to go to regimental museums and the Army Museum in Chelsea. The IWN has loads on the Emergency in the archives but exhibits wise not so.
“Perhaps 10% of past visitors would return as adults”
Perhaps but it’s still not enough to keep a museum financially viable or mage it a must to visit place.
“defeated than any military glory”
Never mind the “glory”, we have a short history. Opening a museum here is considered a must and rightfully so but due to various factors there are limits to what can be done.
The first and only time I visited IWM was in 2000 when I had an working trip to the UK. It was a great visit, but I think the visit to the British Museum was more satisfying as it had a lot more things including Egyptian mummies.
“Also those museums tend to have more events or occasions which are possible due to various reasons”
Events and temporary exhibits need to be created by those who are in charge of the museum
Something such as
– role of helicopters in insurgency
– nuri in the 60s, 70s and 80s
– tudm during confrontation
– twin pioneer operations
– dhc-1 chipmunks in tudm
– training with piston provosts
– helicopter pilot training witb bell 47s
– nuri operations overseas
– sabre operations
– F-5 operations in 70s, 80s
– C-130 Camar maritime operations 80s
– TUDM albatross operations
– tudm off airport operations – exercise bersatu padu 1970
– Caribou operations 70s 80s
– PC-7 training in the 80s
– MB-339AM training in the 80s
– Skyhawk operations in th 80s
– Hawk over the years
– MiG-29 early operations
– and many many more
Did you ever go to the tri services museum at Mindef? The one in the wooden air conditioned buildings. That was good.
No, I did not.
Unfortunately, the services tend to sent their unwanted to these kind of establishments, who of course, did not have the incentive to do the job well. I was told that one officer who was sent to the RMAF museum in the early 2000s tried his best to make sure it become a good attraction. It did for while, despite the lack of appreciation. However, when the officer retired, so did all the good work done went to waste really.
“still not enough to keep a museum financially viable or mage it a must to visit place.”
Imho very few museums globally ever were financially stable, nearly all dependent on Govt funding and/or trustees donations. To expect the same here when we have very little ‘exciting’ history to talk about is fallacy. As said we dont have such military glories as to pull people in voluntarily to come visit, which is why mandatory visits by schools year round would be the key revenue streams even if its still insufficient.
@Hulu
Other than choppers during Emergency, and perhaps some overseas duties (ie UN? HADR support in disasters?) nothing you listed is ‘exciting’ enough to draw casual visitors or tourists. Its these situations where museums will pair up and lend items to the other. Perhaps like maybe see we can borrow back the Avon Sabre jet we gave to Indonesia? Or the F5s that went to Thai?
There are a number of Sabres and F-5s airframe in country even for short shows. No need to ask to return the ones we gave already. Moreover we have two recon F5s which are very rare indeed.
@ joe
No need.
Even current TUDM museum inventory has 2 sabres.
Others are in TUDM Jugra, TUDM Alor Setar, TUDM Butterworth, Perak museum, Pahang Museum, Sultan johor palace.
Most of those donated to Indonesia is now sold off to USA.
Also others are not interesting?
How can things like skyhawk or twin pioneers not interesting?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gnd1GVRaMAAVDoH.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gnd1GVPaEAAYygM.jpg
Actually there is an ex TUDM twin pioneer still in flyable condition after all these years.
FM-1066 is in flyable condition in Australia.
Maybe TUDM can buy it back and return it to malaysia to fly as a part of TUDM historical flight
https://vintageaviationnews.com/aviation-museum-news/twin-pioneer-donated-to-the-historical-aircraft-restoration-society.html
There is also a real ex TUDM Chipmunk in private ownership in Australia. FM-1022 is currently flying in Australia in its full original TUDM livery. The chipmunk FM-1022 in possession of TUDM museum is actually ex RTAF chipmunk donated to TUDM and painted to resemble the FM-1022.
https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/832581_1720940892.jpg
Its like your family favourite Wira/Saga that was sold ages ago and now you want it back for nostalgia sake, of course you could go with just any other Wira/Saga but yourself know that is a ripoff replacement. You will appreciate more the significance if you could find the exact car back, looking at the same ID plate you saw when younger, no?
Perhaps their postTUDM life in use might be even more exciting and worth to continue telling their stories after a life usage with USAF/RAAF, then with TUDM, and post thereafter?
Our military history is quite a bore but not such our neighbours region and with such cross relations we can leverage that to make more attractive displays.
I prefer our history to be boring really.
“Or the F5s that went to Thai”
On shot down by a Laotian SA-7.
“Maybe TUDM can buy it back and return it to malaysia to fly as a part of TUDM historical flight”
“Maybe” but in reality the service’s have their hands full and are struggling focusing on stuff which has actual present day utility. Never mind something of only historical significance, even if they appreciate the need and value.
“Events and temporary exhibits need to be created by those who are in charge of the museum”
It’s a top down approach. Doesn’t happen in isolation or in a vacuum. Has to be part of a wider long term plan which has the needed financial resources and the people. The people at the museum can only do so much.
As for your list. As mentioned, the bulk of of that will only be of passing interest to the average person. Not enough to keep them visiting museums with any frequency.
Lots of things can be done on paper but in reality there are reasons why what’s done in Britain, Australia and the U.S. simply can’t be done here.
@Hulu
“Most of those donated to Indonesia is now sold off to USA.”
Perhaps can be traced and bring back for display; either as permanent or temp loaned. Im sure they have an interesting story to tell.
“return it to malaysia to fly as a part of TUDM historical flight”
Doesnt have to be flying condition as these takes a lot of resource, time, money & manpower effort. Also a lot of risk flying them as many historical planes accidents of late. Returning for display meant many more years for many visitors to appreciate.
“I prefer our history to be boring really.”
Indeed me too, but that makes a very boring story to tell our kids, much less disinterested adults.
” Perhaps can be traced and bring back for display; either as permanent or temp loaned ”
The question is why do you want to do it? They are privately owned and in dismantled state, if it still exists. Aussie Sabres use British AVON engine and its airframe is very different to US built Sabres. Both of existing TUDM museum Sabres are in better condition than any of those in USA, so it isn’t as if there is no surviving Sabres at all here in malaysia. The one and only AVON Sabre flying in the world is also ex TUDM, now flying with the RAAF Historic flight / 100 Squadron RAAF.
https://www.airforce.gov.au/community/event-participation/air-force-heritage-aircraft-fleet/ca-27-sabre
In the past when we needed something for a static exhibit which we didn’t have, we sourced it from abroad.
“The question is why do you want to do it?”
If we want to talk about the history of a particular aircraft, why not?
If you have a family favourite Saga/Wira which has been sold years ago, you might want to feel reconnected back to that car again. You can try to fool yourself by buying any random Saga/Wira and calling it a replacement but in your heart you know its not the same car. Goes the same with taking any other exTUDM Sabre in stock and displaying it as one of those traded away, sure you can fool 90% of visitors but you know its a fake and there others will know too. Which is why to be historically accurate its better to trace back the same unit to bring back and tell its story.
I believe you said the same thing with finding back the Condor/s used in Bakara Market incident for display. Why not then any of the random 400+ Condors?
And yes, ours were Avon Sabres, so you cant even get any random USA made Sabres to represent our jets. Such missmatch will be easily caught by enthusiasts. Thats why its important to ensure factual accuracy of historical displays.
“we sourced it from abroad.”
A lot of museums & displays does it actually. Theres only a single Mona Lisa for display if others want to loan to exhibit in their museum after all.
Joe “Imho very few museums globally ever were financially stable, nearly all dependent on Govt funding and/or trustees donations”
Gov funding in the form of a grant to otherwise independently run museum is different from gov funding from a budget to run a government organisation that run a museum.
Gov run thing are hardly ever good. Hahaha. And private individuals and corporation aren’t likely to donate too. Because the attraction in donating to a non profit is the ultimate aim of becoming a non profit board member thus one get to pocket back some money that are loses due to taxation.
Personally if one were to ask current sg besi airbase owner KLCCH to co developed and co run the AF museum they might be interested in. KLCCH run on the upper scale of the real estate market and non for profit *attraction is something they need. Just like how the have a big park, petroscience and Petronas gallery at current KLCC.
If not then we are looking at a cost centre that otherwise unrelated to the AF main job and since the AF is short on a lot of things to even do their main job, the expenses of the museum should be kept to a minimal. Buying some item for display may sounds great until one considered the opportunities cost that is. Basically that money would probably be better spend flying just one more hour or buying another single expandable to keep in storage.
The Chipmunk was obtained from Thailand.
“I believe you said the same thing with finding back the Condor/s used in Bakara Market incident for display”
In the late 1990’s I asked a Somali who was resident in Dubai. He checked and said they were still there. Surprising given they were hit by U.S. helicopters. As of 2025 mostly gone.
@Zaft
“independently run museum is different from gov funding”
Depends. Some gets yearly grants. IINM British national museums gets yearly funding from the Royal Household (or at least museums & parks dedicated to them/family). Nearly all our large museums are Govt setups so naturally will depend on recurring Govt funding.
“they might be interested in. KLCCH”
I highly doubt it. That piece of land is a goldmine and none of the BOD are ex airmen heck even ex military so they arent going to put value to having such. Imho it is a waste. My idea would be to house it in abandoned factory/warehouses in Shah Alam industrial parks like Hicom or Glenmarie or Bukit Raja where there are plenty of built up spaces and also very near to urban areas for at least halfday visit.
@ joe
” And yes, ours were Avon Sabres, so you cant even get any random USA made Sabres to represent our jets. Such missmatch will be easily caught by enthusiasts. Thats why its important to ensure factual accuracy of historical displays ”
What part of TUDM Museum already has 2 original AVON Sabres in its collection that you didn’t understand?
https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/images/gallery_users/my_ca-27_sabre_mk_32_fm-1902_2009-12-19-sv_dsc_0828_je.jpg
https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/images/gallery_users/my_ca-27_sabre_mk_32_fm-1907_2009-12-19_pqv_dsc_0829_je.jpg
If we are going to find something we don’t have like a Dart Herald, or a HS125 Merpati is understandable, but we have tons of AVON Sabres around in Malaysia.
I have gone around to see almost all of them, except those inside Butterworth and Johore Palace.
I think there is at least two at KTU – if I remember correctly – but in a bad shape as well one of the old bizjets.
… – “inside Butterworth”
In the late 1980’s one was at the entrance of Butterworth.
Since we’re on the topic there is a
A-4 on a plinth inside Subang.
” In the late 1980’s one was at the entrance of Butterworth ”
That has been replaced with a F-5 since the late 90s, and the sabre moved inside the base itself.
There is a new gate guard just outside the entrance of Subang airbase via Jalan Montfort or Guthrie Corridor Expressway. It is a PC7 Mk 1 painted in green complete with a sharks mouth as with the aircraft that was given the ground attack role in the 1980s.
There are pics of PC-7s of the Light Attack Squadron with smoke rockets but I have no idea what they are actually armed with.
… _”That has been replaced with a F-5 since the late 90s, and the sabre moved inside the base itself”
If I remember correctly there was also a Mirage 111 next to the Sabre.
” There is a new gate guard just outside the entrance of Subang airbase ”
Any pictures of the pc-7?
I have taken a few pictures but not good. Will do so this weekend.
” no idea what they are actually armed with ”
FN HMP 0.50Cal gun pods and FZ 7shot rocket pods
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GMLjITDa4AAa2Zy.jpg
There are at least 5 painted with the shark mouth.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GntLRERbwAEjtOi.jpg