Public asked to contribute to National Archives’ initiative
IPOH: A photograph of a village celebration. An audio recording of traditional music. Or perhaps a video of a community event.
Malaysians are encouraged to submit recorded materials that reflect local experiences and community heritage to the National Archives of Malaysia.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said relevant photographs, recordings, documents, oral histories and family collections are equally important as official records.
“Many valuable historical records exist outside formal repositories in family albums, village collections, local associations, places of worship, schools and personal collections.
“Every family, community, and locality possess stories that contribute to our national narrative,” he said in his opening speech of the 30th Southeast Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Archive Association Conference here yesterday.
He cited examples such as an oral history shared by an elder, saying that this could provide future generations with insights into the country’s heritage.
“Through community archives, ordinary citizens become custodians of history, ensuring that every community sees itself represented in the nation’s memory.
“This ensures that the nation’s memory is not confined to official records alone but enriched by the voices and experiences of ordinary Malaysians,” he added.
Aaron said through its Community Archives Celebration initiative, which was started about two years ago, a total of 309,740 items have been collected as of March this year.
The items, he said, included photographs, publications, audiovisual materials and personal artefacts.
“Through sustained outreach and collection programmes, the National Archives has successfully expanded the nation’s documentary heritage.
“These figures reflect the growing awareness among Malaysians that preserving history is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He said the materials could be contributed to the National Archives via its website.
“Those who contribute to the National Archives would also receive a token of appreciation,” he added.
National Archives director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor said they are looking for recorded materials from the community on how they celebrate Independence Day and Malaysia Day.
“This year, we are popularising ways of celebrating our independence and formation of Malaysia.
“We want to look at it, not only from the government’s stance, but also from the community’s.
“We want to obtain records from the community regarding programmes that involved the government or the respective communities as a whole,” he told reporters.
