Navin Kumar Perianen
The SAN Herbarium has opened an exhibition gallery at the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok, Sabah. It shows part of a collection of more than 280,000 plant specimens, The Star reported on 3 November. It follows Sarawak’s push to protect Old Kuching’s heritage.
The herbarium belongs to the Sabah Forestry Department and was set up in 1916. State conservator of forests Datuk Zulkifli Suara opened the gallery. It is described as the largest herbarium in Sabah.
Overall, here is what the herbarium holds, how it fits the research centre and who can visit. The gallery is not open to walk-in visitors, and the opening date was not given.
What the SAN Herbarium holds
The collection has more than 280,000 plant specimens. Moreover, it has been built up for over a century, since 1916. That makes it one of the oldest records of Sabah’s plant life.
A herbarium keeps dried and pressed plants so that scientists can study them later. As a result, each specimen records where and when a plant grew. The new gallery brings part of that record out for visitors.
Other Malaysian museums are also opening new spaces. For example, a Penang State Museum branch opened on Jalan Macalister. Meanwhile, the Sepilok gallery focuses on plants rather than objects.
The report does not list which specimens are on show. Likewise, it gives no figure for how many are displayed. It also does not say how the gallery is laid out. Therefore, the gallery is likely to show only a small part of the collection.
The Forest Research Centre behind the gallery
The gallery sits at the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok. The centre is run by the Sabah Forestry Department. In addition, it also oversees the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
The centre launched a five-year research programme for 2026 to 2030 on 5 November. It has five pillars: forest ecosystems, biodiversity and conservation, plantations, forest products, and community and social aspects. Furthermore, the first pillar includes a digital platform called the Sabah Ecosystem Hub.
Read more: Sarawak wants Old Kuching made a heritage site like George Town
Read more: Penang State Museum branch opens at Jalan Macalister
Read more: Sarawak to host Egyptian mummies from Florence in July 2027
Biodiversity work matters for wildlife as well as plants. For example, tiger footprints were found in Gerik last month. Meanwhile, forest records such as the herbarium’s help show what a habitat holds.
The research programme gives no budget, funding source or partners. However, it does set a clear time frame of 2026 to 2030. The report on the gallery does not link it to the programme.
Who can visit the SAN Herbarium gallery
The gallery is open on weekdays for pre-arranged visits only. Secondary schools and academic institutions can book a visit. Walk-in visitors and the general public are not covered.
Bookings go through the herbarium’s curator. Details are on sanherbarium.com. Therefore, schools should contact the curator before planning a trip.
The report does not give the opening date or the cost of the gallery. It also does not say if the public will get access later. Likewise, it gives no ticket price or group size limit. Equally, it names no school or group that has booked a visit.
In short, the SAN Herbarium has opened a Sepilok gallery for pre-arranged school and academic visits. Public access, costs and the opening date are not yet known.
C. Khor
Yalinie Mathan
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