GOV’T MULLS MORE FUNDING FOR REPATRIATION OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS - AHMAD ZAHID

SHAH ALAM, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The government is considering additional allocations to facilitate the repatriation and recovery of important historical artifacts and documents currently held abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. 

He said the costs involved in retrieving these pieces of history could be substantial, and as of now, no specific budget has been allocated for this. 

Ahmad Zahid said he has tasked National Unity Minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, with presenting the matter to the Cabinet next week.

“While efforts have been made to bring back historical items from abroad, the funds have been insufficient.

“What the National Archives requires is funding based on the value of these historical materials, many of which remain in former colonial offices, museums or individually held,” he told reporters after officiating the 2024 National History and Unity Convention: ‘Tracing History, Building National Unity’, here today.

Ahmad Zahid said some of these artifacts were not only stolen but also seized and taken abroad as confidential documents by colonial officials, either personally or officially.

In his opening speech, Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of preserving historical facts, saying that they should not be manipulated to fuel disputes stemming from ideological differences on sensitive topics like race, royalty and religion (3R).

“History must be based on objective facts, not distorted for political or personal gain. Excessive racial and political polarisation has planted seeds of hatred, leading to a disregard for true historical facts, which must be addressed urgently.

“Therefore, history must be adapted and refined in line with contemporary realities, viewed from a broader, more objective perspective, rather than serving the interests of small, fragmented groups,” he said. 

He said the government is considering the formation of a National Historians Council, which is hoped to take a lead role in countering the distortion of historical facts, which has long caused negative perceptions and poses a threat to national unity and stability.

He also said the government will elevate the council as the highest authority on historical matters, ensuring that the country’s history is written based on factual evidence, free from ideological bias.

-- BERNAMA