Malaysia: Revive Culture Congress - Adviser

SERDANG (Malaysia),Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Cultural Congress must be revived to breathe new life into Malay values which are being eroded, says Socio-Cultural Affairs Adviser to the Government, Dr Rais Yatim. He said the congress, which was last held in 1971, was important as the Malays were now less concerned about their own culture, language and arts. "We have long been caught up with the modern way of life that we have forgotten who we are. So, I urge the Malays to take a look at Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution on Malay customs and culture. "When their culture dies, the Malays will lose their identity in their own country," he told reporters at the three-day Kris and Malay Cultural Heritage Festival held at the Malay Heritage Museum, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) here Saturday. He said he would seek the cooperation of the Prime Minister's Department, local universities and relevant government departments to organise the Cultural Congress next year. Rais also urged the government to consider additional allocation for the National Heritage Department in Budget 2017, which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 21. He said it would encourage the department to increase its efforts in the preservation and promotion of national heritage as contained in the National Heritage Act 2005. On the festival, Rais said it was a good effort which exposed the younger generation to Malay history, culture and arts, which should be upheld by all public universities here. Various activities are being held during the festival which began yesterday, including demonstrations on making kris and kris competitions, the art of self-defence, demonstrations by experienced Malay artistes, folk games as well as an exhibition and sale of craft products. An exhibition on the Langkasuka Trail which includes craftwork by national wood craftsmen Norhaiza Noordin and the late Nik Rashiddin Nik Hussein, as well as etchings by famed artiste Ilse Noor was also held. -- BERNAMA