Letter

Museum May Have Negative Consequences

The Cambodia Daily, 14 November 2007

I am glad that the government is making an effort to preserve the Khmer heritage by encouraging companies to construct museums in Cambodia (“PM Invites Companies To Build Museums,” Nov 13, page 20)

 However, we feel that building a museum may not be an effective measure to protect our cultural patrimony.

 When a museum is built, they will need artifacts to be displayed for visitors. After years of looting and neglect, Cambodia seems to have run out of ancient artifacts that can be shown in museums.

 I believe that visitors prefer to see ancient Khmer statues and centuries-old temples in their natural environment. If we can protect them, we can turn Cambodia itself into a museum.

 If more museums are built inside and outside Cambodia, we may indirectly encourage people to remove artifacts from the temples. People may have to tare down Angkor Wat and other Khmer ruins to get the stone carvings for display.

Moeun Chhean Nariddh

Phnom Penh