Lai (pic below) is keeping interest in gold alive through his business in Johor Baru as well as a free museum, which features props such as a cave (above) to show how gold is mined. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
IT HAD always been goldsmith and entrepreneur Lai Chern Mun’s dream to open a gold museum to showcase the many uses of the precious metal.
Lai, who learned the skills to make gold jewellery from his father, said he developed a passion for the industry after getting involved in the family business.
“I started helping out at my father’s gold-making business at a young age.
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“Back then, my salary was only RM180 a month.
“When I hit my early 20s, I began harbouring a dream of one day opening my own jewellery store and gold museum.
“Gold is crucial to the global economy; it is a great form of investment and is considered a favourable hedge against inflation.
“I want to educate the public about the importance of gold, not just for jewellery,” he told StarMetro.
Lai said he ventured out from his family’s business to start his own gold jewellery shop about eight years ago before expanding to a new building at Pandan Industrial Park, Johor Baru in 2022.
He then decided to set up a gold museum on the top floor and opened it earlier this year.
“I specifically wanted the museum to be a not-for-profit component of my store.
“The public can visit it for free with no obligation to purchase anything.
“It took my team about a year to conduct research and build props such as a cave to highlight gold mining efforts, and a vault to depict how gold is stored.
“The precious metal is also used in electronic products and the aviation industry, so there is an area in the museum showcasing items that contain gold,” Lai said, adding that the latest currency exchange rates and gold prices are also displayed on television screens.
For a touch of nostalgia, visitors can look at real receipts of gold jewellery purchased dating back decades.
There are also live demonstrations on how gold jewellery is made.
Lai believes his museum is the only active one nationwide.
“Previously, there was a gold museum in Penang but I understand that it closed down a few years ago.”
He said that many university and school groups had visited his museum for guided tours.
“After each tour, we encourage visitors to give to charity.”
Lai also plans to organise a seminar this month on gold, including how global conflicts affect the price of the metal. — By YEE XIANG YUN
