Willingness to contribute cultural artefacts to the Sarawak Museum: psychosocial determinants among Sarawakian Malays

Abstract

Cultural heritage conservation is vital for preserving historical continuity and community identity. It examines the motivations, barriers, and expectations that may inspire or hinder the Malay community in Sarawak, Malaysia, from donating artefacts to the Sarawak Museum. A quantitative survey of 400 Malay respondents was statistically analysed using regression and factor analysis, revealing significant generational differences among the groups. Older participants (ages 55 + ) favoured donation or ‘cultural pride’, whereas younger individuals leaned towards loans or selling, driven by a focus on financial gain and appeal to digitally engaged consumers. Money played a lesser role than institutional trust, which emerged as the most significant predictor of intent to contribute (β = 0.47, p < 0.01). Both socioeconomic status and the level of transparency regarding procedures influenced participation, while symbolic acknowledgement (e.g., recognition of family name) bolstered the motivation to contribute among low-income groups. Through a detailed examination, the study highlights the limitations of universalist tenets in cultural economics by underscoring the need for context-specific approaches, such as hybrid incentive systems and decentralised curation, that resonate with the Malay cultural context. Contributions to global heritage discourse include integrating Southeast Asian perspectives into participatory conservation models and implementing policies that balance institutional practices with community-driven stewardship.