Ministry finalising law to regulate museum activities
He said the law, expected to be tabled by November this year, aims to provide a clear legal framework to ensure museums are managed effectively and sustainably.
According to Aaron, the ministry aims to develop museums that are not only educational but also transformative spaces fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity.
'The ministry is committed to ensuring that our museums embody the values of inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability, and diversity,' he said.
'We will work closely with the Department of Museums to develop and implement strategies that align with these principles, which are enhancing accessibility, promoting inclusive narratives, implementing sustainable practices and encouraging community participation in museum activities and decision-making processes,' he said during his opening speech at the Malaysia International Museums Day Seminar 2025 here, today.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, Department of Museums director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim said the proposed law includes the establishment of a Museum Council, which would serve as an advisory and supervisory body for the creation and operation of museum institutions nationwide.
He said that while the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645) addresses matters concerning heritage sites, monuments, and both tangible and intangible heritage, it does not comprehensively regulate overall museum policy.
'This law is being drafted in accordance with international standards, taking into account practices from other countries. We also aim to introduce a rating system and regulate the operations of new museums, particularly private ones, that may present narratives or trends that conflict with national policy,' he said.
The International Museum Day Seminar 2025 was held in conjunction with the annual International Museum Day celebration, observed worldwide on May 18 each year.
Themed 'The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities', this year's celebration highlights the evolving role of museums amid significant social, technological, and environmental changes.
Organised in collaboration with the International Council of Museums Malaysia (ICOMMAL) and the Kedah State Museum Board, the seminar aimed to highlight the crucial role of museums in promoting cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and global peace.
The event drew around 300 participants, including museum practitioners, researchers, academics, university students, and representatives from private companies involved in museum digitalisation.
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Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Malaysiakini
Minister, fly kites, the national flag is risky
YOURSAY | 'Few may want to fly any flags given the threats from juvenile politicians.' Don't fear flying Jalur Gemilang despite upside-down incident: Minister GrayEagle1207: National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, no thanks. It is too risky to fly the Jalur Gemilang, for fear of reprisal. The Madani government allows bullies to police the country as they see fit. There is no compulsion in flying the flag. Malaysians just want to live peacefully and mind their own business. But certain quarters are allowed to interfere and intimidate the population over matters which can be solved amicably. All these matters can be solved amicably in a peaceful manner, without violence, intimidation, threats, or vandalism. It seems like a never-ending story. There are always certain quarters ready to inflate and cause divisions, and the government fuels this by its lack of action and incompetence in restoring public trust and order. They can't fix social or racial issues in the homeland, but are very enthusiastic about brokering peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Now, people won't even bother with the Malaysian flag and socks. Good job, Umno-Pakatan Harapan-Madani. Happy Merdeka. Koel: Thanks to empty vessels, fewer people may want to fly any flags, given the rabid and unhinged threats from juvenile politicians. But the people, the media, and these illiterate politicians need to start focusing on what is happening in the world while we are fighting over petty issues. The impact of tariffs on countries and how it will impoverish us and our neighbours will soon be seen. This poverty in countries like ours will lead to neocolonial moves by bigger countries intent on controlling resources around the world. We should not be in any doubt that the trade wars do not take any account of the welfare of those in Asia. The design is extraction. We are already seeing this in the so-called deal we got. It will only get worse. But thanks to juvenile antics by the likes of youths in Umno, newspapers will be filled with this type of the worst kind of trivia. And that is what happens to countries when the silliest are promoted into positions of responsibility in political parties. We are getting distracted by this nonsense and trivia at our own peril. People need to wake up. KK Voter: Aaron has expressed regret over the incident in Penang where a shop owner had wrongly displayed the national flag, describing it as inappropriate and capable of tarnishing the country's image. We wouldn't know whether he 'wrongly displayed the flag' because he hadn't even finished putting it up. The video just shows him fiddling with it alongside another person. Had the entire process been filmed, it might have shown him correcting the position before hanging it. But I guess we'll never know. What we do know is that opportunist ministers like you, Aaron, were quick to leap onto the bandwagon, eager for a headline, without a shred of common sense or a thought for the damage caused. BlueCougar1744: Our glorious national flag has been made taboo by our 'disunity' minister, so much so that none will attempt to put it up. They would simply want to avoid intimidation or harassment by the authorities. This year, even if the flags are to be distributed free of charge, many will not fly the flag but instead go out to fly kites instead. He was the one who urged the authorities to act, and now he is begging all not to fear but to fly our flag. Go fly kites. 6th Generation Immigrant: The minister should clarify even further, and maybe to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh as well, that the act of flying any flag upside down is itself never a crime. In fact, in almost all international contexts, flying a flag upside down is traditionally a signal of distress or an expression of protest, indicating that the nation is in trouble or that the individual is dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, and we have freedom of expression in this nation. The police and Umno Youth leader can only lambast that individual for his wrong expression of protest or dissatisfaction, and not because he wrongly flew the flag upside down. A Little Bit Crazy: Alamak minister, are you joking? The whole world now knows, flying the national flag is a very high-risk action in Malaysia. Nobody will take risks anymore. While preparing to fly the flag, or after flying the flag, if it is windblown, or if any unintentional or careless action took place, we might land in jail. With the likes of Akmal and his ilk, it is advisable not to fly any flag. Anyway, life goes on beautifully, without flying any flags. Aaron, your ministry should be careful too. Make sure your ministry staff fly the flags, print the flags, and handle the precious flags like a baby. Any mistakes, you will lose your minister post. Just a Malaysian: You are just a coward, like all the leaders we elect to run the country. An old Chinese man, in his patriotic zeal to put up a national flag outside his shop. How did he end up arrested by the police? Our elected leaders continue to allow a 'riff raff' Umno Youth leader to create such a ruckus without stepping in. Now that the 'apek' is being punished, Umno Youth appeased, you come out and talk rubbish? After the pain of being a minority is being reminded again, not by Perikatan Nasional but by a Madani coalition partner, no less? Tell me what the Madani government stands for again? PurpleJaguar0553: People should fly the flag correctly. It is not difficult to know which side is up. Unfortunately, with Akmal and his gang's racist outburst (mind you, they only scream and bark when the mistake is made by a non-Muslim), people will be too afraid to fly the flag because one day, he may not only scream and bark but park right outside your door. One day, he may even jump at what he considers a poor quality flag, a faded flag, or flying it too low, or not at a prominent place, or using the wrong coloured pole. We are not being unpatriotic, but do we need this kind of persecution, harassment, and threats, not to mention police reports and possibly being hauled up for investigations? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Malaysiakini
Minister, fly kites, the national flag is risky
YOURSAY | 'Few may want to fly any flags given the threats from juvenile politicians.' Don't fear flying Jalur Gemilang despite upside-down incident: Minister GrayEagle1207: National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, no thanks. It is too risky to fly the Jalur Gemilang, for fear of reprisal. The Madani government allows bullies to police the country as they see fit. There is no compulsion in flying the flag. Malaysians just want to live peacefully and mind their own business. But certain quarters are allowed to interfere and intimidate the population over matters which can be solved amicably. All these matters can be solved amicably in a peaceful manner, without violence, intimidation, threats, or vandalism. It seems like a never-ending story. There are always certain quarters ready to inflate and cause divisions, and the government fuels this by its lack of action and incompetence in restoring public trust and order. They can't fix social or racial issues in the homeland, but are very enthusiastic about brokering peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Now, people won't even bother with the Malaysian flag and socks. Good job, Umno-Pakatan Harapan-Madani. Happy Merdeka. Koel: Thanks to empty vessels, fewer people may want to fly any flags, given the rabid and unhinged threats from juvenile politicians. But the people, the media, and these illiterate politicians need to start focusing on what is happening in the world while we are fighting over petty issues. The impact of tariffs on countries and how it will impoverish us and our neighbours will soon be seen. This poverty in countries like ours will lead to neocolonial moves by bigger countries intent on controlling resources around the world. We should not be in any doubt that the trade wars do not take any account of the welfare of those in Asia. The design is extraction. We are already seeing this in the so-called deal we got. It will only get worse. But thanks to juvenile antics by the likes of youths in Umno, newspapers will be filled with this type of the worst kind of trivia. And that is what happens to countries when the silliest are promoted into positions of responsibility in political parties. We are getting distracted by this nonsense and trivia at our own peril. People need to wake up. KK Voter: Aaron has expressed regret over the incident in Penang where a shop owner had wrongly displayed the national flag, describing it as inappropriate and capable of tarnishing the country's image. We wouldn't know whether he 'wrongly displayed the flag' because he hadn't even finished putting it up. The video just shows him fiddling with it alongside another person. Had the entire process been filmed, it might have shown him correcting the position before hanging it. But I guess we'll never know. What we do know is that opportunist ministers like you, Aaron, were quick to leap onto the bandwagon, eager for a headline, without a shred of common sense or a thought for the damage caused. BlueCougar1744: Our glorious national flag has been made taboo by our 'disunity' minister, so much so that none will attempt to put it up. They would simply want to avoid intimidation or harassment by the authorities. This year, even if the flags are to be distributed free of charge, many will not fly the flag but instead go out to fly kites instead. He was the one who urged the authorities to act, and now he is begging all not to fear but to fly our flag. Go fly kites. 6th Generation Immigrant: The minister should clarify even further, and maybe to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh as well, that the act of flying any flag upside down is itself never a crime. In fact, in almost all international contexts, flying a flag upside down is traditionally a signal of distress or an expression of protest, indicating that the nation is in trouble or that the individual is dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, and we have freedom of expression in this nation. The police and Umno Youth leader can only lambast that individual for his wrong expression of protest or dissatisfaction, and not because he wrongly flew the flag upside down. A Little Bit Crazy: Alamak minister, are you joking? The whole world now knows, flying the national flag is a very high-risk action in Malaysia. Nobody will take risks anymore. While preparing to fly the flag, or after flying the flag, if it is windblown, or if any unintentional or careless action took place, we might land in jail. With the likes of Akmal and his ilk, it is advisable not to fly any flag. Anyway, life goes on beautifully, without flying any flags. Aaron, your ministry should be careful too. Make sure your ministry staff fly the flags, print the flags, and handle the precious flags like a baby. Any mistakes, you will lose your minister post. Just a Malaysian: You are just a coward, like all the leaders we elect to run the country. An old Chinese man, in his patriotic zeal to put up a national flag outside his shop. How did he end up arrested by the police? Our elected leaders continue to allow a 'riff raff' Umno Youth leader to create such a ruckus without stepping in. Now that the 'apek' is being punished, Umno Youth appeased, you come out and talk rubbish? After the pain of being a minority is being reminded again, not by Perikatan Nasional but by a Madani coalition partner, no less? Tell me what the Madani government stands for again? PurpleJaguar0553: People should fly the flag correctly. It is not difficult to know which side is up. Unfortunately, with Akmal and his gang's racist outburst (mind you, they only scream and bark when the mistake is made by a non-Muslim), people will be too afraid to fly the flag because one day, he may not only scream and bark but park right outside your door. One day, he may even jump at what he considers a poor quality flag, a faded flag, or flying it too low, or not at a prominent place, or using the wrong coloured pole. We are not being unpatriotic, but do we need this kind of persecution, harassment, and threats, not to mention police reports and possibly being hauled up for investigations? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Desecration of Jalur Gemilang
To fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down is an insult to the dignity of our beloved nation, but a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, has done exactly that. And to do that just weeks before the country celebrates its National Day is like stabbing the very heart of the nation. Insult a man's dignity, he may forgive you. But insult the dignity of the nation, which the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of, he will neither forgive you nor forget the disrespectful act. So will not the nation. The proof of this is the numerous police reports lodged around the country by loyal Malaysians and statements issued by national leaders. Disturbed as he was, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang took to X, urging the police to take firm action against the offender, stressing the need for the action to serve as a lesson to all. Flying the flag correctly is every citizen's responsibility as a sign of respect and love for the country, Bernama quoted him as saying. He is right. To fly the Jalur Gemilang incorrectly is to seek to blemish the sovereignty, dignity and unity of the nation. Such an abhorrent act mustn't be tolerated. Strongly worded condemnation was also issued by Penang PKR Youth chief Muhammad Zakwan Mustafa Kamal in a statement on Saturday. He said the act of flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down was disrespectful, irresponsible, and an insult to the dignity of the nation. He said if the act was proven to be deliberate, no compromise should be shown. We say the same, too. Zakwan also called on the hardware store owner to issue a public apology to all Malaysians. As this Leader goes to press, no such apology has been issued. The police are saying that there is a case for prosecution. The hardware shop owner, who was detained on Sunday and released on police bail later, is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If there is a case for prosecution, it is high time the authorities bring to bear the full brunt of the law on him to show how serious an insult to the dignity of the nation is. There have been far too many cases in the past, many of the culprits feigning ignorance. Utter incredulity must be the response. Even in the past, it wasn't the act of one who hadn't come of age. Or the act of one who suffered from some disease of the mind. Though the past acts showed clear disrespect for the dignity of the nation, we chose to adopt a softly, softly approach. The Kepala Batas incident proves to the authorities that such an approach was wrong. Nay it might have even encouraged it. If what the police investigation is saying is right, then the full brunt of the law must be brought to bear on him. Even ordinary crime demands punishment. Insulting the symbol of the dignity of a nation is no ordinary crime. As severe as it is, so must the punishment be.
