Malay manuscripts should not be forgotten in this modern age of technology

TANJUNG MALIM, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) and the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) want more Malaysians, especially youths, to embrace Malay manuscripts as their primary source of history.

Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar said Malay manuscripts, as our national heritage, need to be cherished and appreciated by the young so that they will not be forgotten in this modern age of technological sophistication.

"Thus, for that purpose, the 2022 International Conference and Exhibition on Malay Manuscripts (PAMM 2022) is organised today with the collaboration of the National Library with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM).

"This is to realise the aim of attracting youth to appreciate Malay manuscripts as manifestations of local wisdom and Malay identity and to have a greater impact at the global level, in addition to the acquisition, documentation, preservation and use of Malay manuscripts," he told Bernama after after officiating PAMM 2022 here today.

The conference themed ‘Manuskrip Perundangan Melayu: Korpus Warisan Tempatan dan Dunia’ (Malay Legal Manuscripts: Local and World Heritage Corpus) can encourage Malaysians, especially youths, to appreciate manuscripts and the wisdom of Malay Muslim scholars and serve as a platform for researchers from around the world to discuss and establish strategic cooperation, he said.

Santhara said the presentation on the Malay-Islamic legal history, law of the sea, use of language and its influence, which began today will end on Thursday, involved 23 presenters from Malaysia and countries such as the United States, Russia, Indonesia and Brunei.

"The presenters include Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA) director Datuk Seri Prof Dr Awang Sariyan, University Malaya (UM) History Department professor Datuk Dr Abdullah Zakaria Ghazali are among the presenters at the conference,” he added.

According to him, the decision to hold the conference during the National Month signified the spirit of independence that has been built for 65 years in accordance with the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

-- BERNAMA