Malaysia Has Benefitted From AFCP Grant Since 2001 - US Ambassador

BACHOK (Kelantan, Malaysia), Jan 5 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) embassy has channelled the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant amounting to US$250,000 (RM1.1 million) to Malaysia for the period 2001 to last year. US Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian McFeeters said the grant is aimed at supporting research work and preservation of cultural heritage in the country. "Efforts were made since 2001 including studies and research on the art of rebana kercing in Kelantan and preservation of traditional performances such as wayang kulit and menora. "The embassy is paying attention to steps towards elevating heritage and culture so that they continue to be recognised in the community, while also strengthening local as well as global ties," he told a press conference at the closing of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) rebana kercing conservation project here Wednesday. Elaborating on rebana kercing, McFeeters said he admired the talent of more than 100 students, aged 10 and above, from several schools in Kelantan who were able to master the cultural performance art. "They practiced elements of heritage and culture, and this effort is one of the desired results in the step to conservation," he said. -- BERNAMA