Zahidi (second right) presenting the first prize to the SMK (P) Methodist team at Jaguh Boria on Sept 24. With him are Mohammed (third right) and RTM director-general of Broadcasting Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud (right). – BERNAMApic
GEORGE TOWN: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is working to restore lost heritage and culture in an effort to revive the country’s heritage art and creative industry.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Ainul Abidin said as such, the ministry would visit every state to identify such heritage or culture that needed to be restored.
"The ministry found out that some heritage and cultural activities in several states have disappeared over time, so we want to go to each state and see how we can... call back those talents.
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"For example, we are working to restore a lost heritage in Terengganu and in Perlis, we are reviving ‘Awang Batil’ to promote cultural arts,” he told reporters here on Saturday (Sept 24) night after the Jaguh Boria final organised by RTM at Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek also present.
Zahidi said the effort to restore lost heritage and culture was important to make the creative industry a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
"Perhaps in the future, we will find a budget and a small allocation for each state to revive the heritage and culture that has disappeared.
"Towards this end, the ministry will also work with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
"We will show the public, especially foreign tourists, that Malaysia is rich in culture,” he said.
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On the Jaguh Boria competition, he said RTM established a strategic partnership with the Penang Education Department and the state Culture and Arts Department to hold the event and unearth new talents in the creative industry.
He said the competition was one of the ministry’s initiatives to attract the interest of young people, especially students, to the country’s cultural arts and heritage.
In the competition, SMK (P) Methodist emerged champion and won a cash prize of RM30,000, while SMK Permatang Tok Jaya as runner-up received RM20,000 and SMK (P) St. George, in third place, RM15,000. – Bernama
