A MALAYSIAN start-up has debuted its first Metaverse Virtual Gallery featuring former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his legacy.

This grants Dr Mahathir the honour of becoming the first ever Malaysian leader to officially make a virtual mark in the metaverse.

Uniquepro Meta Holdings Sdn Bhd’s initiation of the Metaverse Virtual Gallery is aimed at establishing and realising a platform where art and technology are seamlessly intertwined to empower an up-and-coming generation of artists to unleash their true potential using the latest in cutting-edge technology.

It also serves as an instantly-accessible intercultural communications platform that transcends barriers and limitations, including geographical location, time and language.

The gallery is open to the public and uses virtual reality (VR) as well as augmented reality (AR) technology. It showcases memorable and historical moments in the life and times of Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, as well as other iconic state leaders and personalities.

The gallery will be updated in various stages, using a collection of fresh and past images of Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah, including limited-edition artwork and designs by renowned local artists.

Dr Mahathir trying out the VR Zone, which is the UNIQ META World Gallery. This gallery is open to the public in a new era of VR and AR technology

“Here today, we have the opportunity to witness another technological development brought about by the metaverse, which is linking the digital world that exists in parallel with the real world and allows real-time interactions in the VR-based environment.

“Given all these new achievements and exploration by our youths, I am hopeful and encouraged that the future of our nation is in good and capable hands,” said Dr Mahathir at the launch of the gallery.

The gallery acts as an educational platform that enables existing and future generations of Malaysians to experience pivotal and important historical moments in their country’s history.

Uniquepro Meta Holdings project chairman Martin Chew said market projections showed the global metaverse development value is seeing an undisputed increase and is expected to reach US$1 trillion (RM4.45 trillion) by 2030.

“This led to the development of UNIQ META World Gallery & NFT (non-fungible token) this year, and its maiden project in the form of ‘Legacy for Tun Dr Mahathir’ Metaverse Virtual Gallery.

“Much like the metaverse, (Dr Mahathir’s) legacy has left an indelible positive mark in the development of our beloved country, and we wanted to take this opportunity to honour him and inspire a new generation of artists through the metaverse,” Chew explained.

Besides the Metaverse Virtual Gallery, the event also witnessed the launch of a creative design competition and its free scholarship programme, as well as the signing of partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding between Uniquepro Meta Holdings with technology giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and the Malacca Museum.

Visit https://www.uniqueprometa.com for details on Uniquepro Meta Holdings and the UNIQ META World Gallery & NFT. — by TMR / pic source: Uniquepro Meta Holdings