This report, by a team of national and international consultants, deals with the planning and development for a natural history museum in Malaysia, to be known as the Natural History Museum Malaysia (NHM Malaysia).

This report explains the role of natural history museums as custodians of the reference materials upon which scientific knowledge of the natural world is based. It describes how the leading museums of natural history have become centres for cutting-edge scientific research on biological diversity and how they have simultaneously become world-famous for the professionalism and scientific credibility of their exhibitions and educational services.

NHM Malaysia will, through its location and operations in one of the richest biodiversity regions of the world, play a vital role in strengthening the knowledge base for sustainable management of the tropical environment for the benefit of Malaysia and the world.