CHINA READY TO ASSIST MALAYSIA IN STUDYING BUJANG VALLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

From Newmond Tibin

PAMPANGA (The Philippines), March 26 (Bernama) -- China is prepared to
assist Malaysia in studying the history of the Lembah Bujang (Bujang
Valley) archaeological site in the northern state of Kedah, which is believed
to be among the earliest
human civilisation sites in Malaysia.

Malaysia's Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said
China had also indicated interest in training Malaysia's human resources in the
field of cultural industry.

"I will follow this up with the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur so that the
project can take off as soon as possible.

"We will invite universities in China to have a look at the Lembah Bujang
site and carry out research as well as providing the necessary technical
assistance," he said.

He was speaking to Bernama and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) journalists
here after attending the final session of the 4th Asean Ministers of Culture and
Arts (AMCA) meeting and the AMCA+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) meeting
Friday.

Rais said Malaysia welcomed such assistance as China had vast experience in
thefield of archaeology and cultural industry.

In this regard, he said, Malaysia would take part in the Beijing arts
festival this year to further strengthen cooperation in the field of cultural
industry.

Rais also said that Asean members and the plus three dialogue partners,
China, Japan and South Korea, welcomed proposals by Malaysia including on
enhancing training and interaction among member countries.

This, he said, was to ensure that countries requiring technical assistance
from the plus three partners were able to benefit from such initiatives.

"In specific terms, the three countries, which have vast experience in the
field of archaeology, can provide assistance in studying archaeological sites
and I have asked Asean partners and the dialogue partners to assist Malaysia
with regard to the discovery of early civilisation in Lembah Bujang," he said.

Rais said the meeting also affirmed its commitment and had included a point
in the AMCA communique with regard to the proposal by Malaysia for Asean to come
up with projects for implementation and not merely discuss policy matters.

He said Malaysia also suggested that programmes to introduce Asean members
through cultural events be held for common benefits.

Malaysia also suggested that Asean countries take turns to host programmes
such as the Best of Asean Performing Arts programme hosted by Jakarta annually.

On the proposal to eliminate tariff on the sale of books among Asean
members, Rais said the meeting here did not discuss the matter.

The issue, however, might be discuss at the bilateral level, particularly
between Malaysia and Indonesia, which had a combined population of nearly 300
million using similar language, he said.

Singapore will host the next AMCA in 2012.
-- BERNAMA