Latest news with #NationalHeritageAct2005
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
More studies needed in Unesco heritage bid for Chinese New Villages
KUALA LUMPUR: The nomination of Chinese New Villages as a Unesco World Heritage Site is being considered, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic) revealed. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said his ministry, through the National Heritage Department, is committed to protecting and recognising national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005, but more needs to be done first. 'The ministry believes that the nomination process for Chinese New Villages in Malaysia as a Unesco World Heritage Site requires a more in-depth study before proceeding with the nomination,' he said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Tiong was responding to Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor, who had inquired about the government's stance on the proposal, highlighting the significance of preserving Malaysia's cultural and historical heritage. The minister said approval from state authorities is necessary before proceeding, as planning and development of any area is under their purview. 'It involves several other agencies at both federal and state levels, such as PLANMalaysia, the Lands and Mines Department and local authorities, with a need to comply with strict guidelines set by Unesco,' he said. To qualify as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Tiong said a nomination must meet stringent criteria, including the identification of Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, integrity and site management. 'The process of obtaining recognition can sometimes take more than 10 years, as seen with other sites in Malaysia, to ensure the availability of information to meet the criteria set by Unesco,' he explained. On the government's efforts to ensure that proposed sites met the national historical criteria, Tiong said the National Heritage Department conducts detailed research to verify facts to prevent future confusion or other issues. 'The steps taken by the department is to ensure that heritage sites meet the national historical criteria, conducting detailed research to prove the truth and verification of related facts to avoid confusion and issues arising later. 'Before being considered for gazetting under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), the related Heritage Expert Committee and National Heritage Council will first be consulted for the determination of the heritage site,' said Tiong.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
No decision yet on Chinese new villages' Unesco nomination, further study needed, says Tiong
KUALA LUMPUR: The nomination of Chinese New Villages as a Unesco World Heritage site is under consideration, but a decision has yet to be reached, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing ( pic ). The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said that while his ministry is committed to protecting and recognising national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005, the proposal to nominate Chinese New Villages requires further in-depth study. 'The ministry, through the National Heritage Department, believes that the nomination of Kampung Baru Cina in Malaysia as a Unesco World Heritage Site requires more comprehensive evaluation before proceeding,' he said in a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (Aug 6). He was responding to a question by Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN–Kuantan), who asked about the government's position on the proposal and stressed the importance of preserving Malaysia's cultural and historical heritage. Tiong added that approval from the respective state authorities is necessary before the process can move forward, as land planning and development were the jurisdictions of the state governments. 'This involves several agencies at both federal and state levels, such as PLANMalaysia, the Land and Mines Office, and local authorities. Both the state authority and local authorities must also be prepared to comply with Unesco's stringent guidelines,' he said. To qualify as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Tiong said a nomination must meet stringent criteria, including the identification of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), authenticity, integrity, and effective site management. 'The process of obtaining recognition can take more than 10 years, as seen with other sites in Malaysia, to ensure all necessary information meets Unesco's standards,' he added. On the government's efforts to ensure proposed sites meet national historical criteria, Tiong said the National Heritage Department conducts detailed research to verify facts and prevent potential issues. 'Among the department's responsibilities is ensuring that sites meet national historical criteria. This includes conducting thorough research to establish authenticity and verify facts, to avoid future confusion or disputes. 'Before any site is considered for gazetting under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), it must first be reviewed by the Heritage Expert Committee and the National Heritage Council,' he said. In February last year, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reportedly announced that plans were underway to nominate Chinese New Villages in Selangor as a Unesco World Heritage Site, in recognition of their cultural and historical significance.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Research needed before Chinese new villages can be nominated as Unesco heritage sites
KUALA LUMPUR: The nomination of Malaysia's Chinese new villages as Unesco World Heritage sites requires thorough research before it can be pursued. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said to date, no decision has been made as to whether to declare such villages as national heritages or for submission to Unesco. "As such, the ministry, through the National Heritage Department, is of the view that the nomination of the Chinese new villages as Unesco World Heritage sites requires more in-depth research before any formal proposal can be pursued," he said. He was responding to Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan) on the government's position regarding the proposal to recognise Chinese new villages as Unesco heritage sites. Tiong said approval must first be obtained from the respective state authorities, as land planning and development fall under state jurisdiction and involve multiple agencies at both the federal and state levels. He said state and local authorities must also be prepared to comply with the strict guidelines set by Unesco, as the nomination must meet specific criteria. "This includes the identification of Outstanding Universal Value, authenticity, integrity, site management and others. "The recognition process can sometimes take more than 10 years, as seen with other sites in Malaysia, to ensure that all necessary information is in place to meet Unesco's criteria," he said. On action taken by the National Heritage Department to ensure that proposed heritage sites meet the historical criteria of the nation, Tiong said thorough research is conducted to verify facts and ensure accuracy, to avoid any confusion or issues arising in the future. He said before a site is considered for gazettement under the National Heritage Act 2005, it must first be reviewed by the heritage expert committee and the National Heritage Council to determine the designation of the site.
New Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kedah backs new Museum Bill to boost heritage governance
ALOR STAR: The Kedah state government has expressed its full support for the National Unity Ministry's initiative to strengthen the country's museum institutions through the proposed Malaysia Museum Bill (RUUMM). Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor described the bill as a crucial step towards the professional and ethical governance of museums nationwide, in line with international standards. "We fully support the National Unity Ministry's efforts through the Malaysia Museum Bill. It is a step forward in elevating museum management and strengthening institutional capacity," he said at the launch of the National-level International Museum Day Festival 2025, held at the Padi Museum today. The event was officiated by the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, and attended by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin. The bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament by November, aims to establish a clear legal framework to ensure the effective and sustainable management of museums nationwide. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said that while the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645) governed matters related to heritage sites, monuments, and tangible and intangible heritage, it did not adequately cover museum policy and governance. Commenting on the festival, Sanusi said he was honoured that the Padi Museum — a landmark symbolising Kedah's identity as the nation's rice bowl — was chosen as the venue for the event, which drew over 1,000 museum professionals from across Malaysia, as well as from Singapore and Indonesia. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to preserving Malaysia's historical legacy in partnership with the federal government, highlighting the 889-year-old Kedah Sultanate as one of the oldest surviving royal institutions in the world. Sanusi also pledged continued support for the Kedah State Museum as a centre for historical and archaeological research, youth education, and cultural identity.
The Star
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Desecration risks in rezoning Vivekananda Ashram
The status of Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields has changed from mixed development to main commercial in successive Kuala Lumpur local plans. — Filepic A NATIONAL heritage group has raised concerns over the rezoning of the century-old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields under the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP 2040). Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) president Lim Wei-Ling said the ashram building was 'at real risk of being desecrated'. 'Gazetted in 2016, it is an important heritage building of historical and cultural significance, together with the site on which it sits in Brickfields. 'The rezoning and classification also pose an alarming risk of not having a sufficient buffer zone around the building. 'While we agree on the need for development, this should happen within reason and land around heritage sites should not be prone to overdevelopment,' she said in a media statement. Lim was responding to a StarMetro report on May 26, 'Vivekananda Ashram at a crossroads' where stakeholders highlighted an inconsistency in the revised draft of the KLLP 2040. While the ashram is classified as a Category 1 Heritage Building under the National Heritage Act 2005, the 0.4ha site is now zoned as 'main commercial', raising concerns that it could be overshadowed by future development. In the earlier draft of KLLP 2020, the land surrounding the ashram was designated for facilities, utilities and infrastructure within a heritage zone. By the time the KLLP 2020 plan was gazetted, the zoning had changed to 'mixed development'. Lim also expressed support for stronger provisions in the KLLP 2040 to protect heritage sites from development. 'Sites like Vivekananda Ashram, which are surrounded by skyscrapers, are in jeopardy of being lost and demolished within Kuala Lumpur. 'These small and meaningful heritage sites are part of the diverse historical references that define Kuala Lumpur. 'They should be celebrated and protected as part of Warisan Kuala Lumpur, an initiative launched recently by our Prime Minister,' said Lim. She stressed that authorities should offer greater protection to heritage buildings and sites in support of that vision. When contacted, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said in the case of the ashram, 'if a proposal is submitted and follows the local plan, we can look into the sensitive design around the site.' 'There are mechanisms in place to protect the heritage building,' she said. On concerns that stakeholder input was not considered in the amended KLLP 2040, Maimunah said that when she assumed office in August, the local plan study was already nearing completion after public participation. 'The committee presented me with the outcomes and proposed amendments in October. 'Proposals that align with the plan will be approved while those that do not, will be rejected,' she said.
