Looking for our cultural identity

Colourful mix: Students performing a traditional dance at the launch of the ‘Rumah Terbuka Malaysia Aidilfitri 2016’ at SMK Hutan Melintang near Bagan Datoh, Perak.

It is time to contemplate our national culture as we celebrate our 59th National Day this week, says former Culture Minister Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

EVERY morning in South Korea, primary school children are asked to walk down a path where they will meet the elderly of the community. The children are trained to respect the elders with a bow and salutations. In Singapore, the young are immersed in a Confucian value system that is inherent in all aspects of their society.