Yogyakarta, MelayuOnline.com- An agreement on education and development of Malay culture was reached during the visit of Dean of Modern Language and Communication of Putra Malaysia University, Malaysia (UPM) to the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture, Yogyakarta (BKPBM), Wednesday (2/6/2008). Among the presents were Prof. Dr. Ezhar Tamam (Deputy Dean), Prof. Dr. Hasyim Musa, Dr. Mohd. Syarifudin Yusop, Mr. Noramin Mohammed, Mrs. Syahriah Membar, and Mr. Ahmad Ismail.

Arriving to BKPBM at 9 a.m., the UPM delegation was treated well by Mahyudin  Al Mudra, S.H., M.M. (Head of BKPBM/Director of MelayuOnline.com) and all crews. In a friendly situation, Mahyudin took the delegation on a quick tour to meet the editorial staff and designer crew of MelayuOnline.com. In the occasion, the delegation saw as well other works of BKPBM such as restoration, duplication and replication of Malay artifacts. 

Afterwards, at 10 a.m., the visit was followed by temu bual (heart-to-heart dialogue) between BKPBM and the UPM delegation. Commencing the temu bual, Mr. Mahyudin made a brief presentation on the range of topics including the background and objectives of BKPBM and the vision of MelayuOnline.com. He also explained that both BKPBM and MelayuOnline.com were established for the dawn of Malay civilization which gradually starts declining and even be vulnerable to disappear as the invasion of other cultures. 

The presentation was responded positively by the UPM delegation as they appreciated the comprehensive content of MelayuOnline.com. Prof. Dr. Che Ibrahim Salleh said that the works of MelayuOnlne.com crew were amazing. He said, “the crew had consistently written the academically responsible articles on the Malay culture which had ever been in the peak of the world civilization”. Prof. Ibrahim contended that two areas suggested to be the main focus of MelayuOnline.com which were the Malay culture and language. In line with that, he looked forward to the agreement between UPM and BKPBM on making joint cooperation to support the academic activities of MelayuOnline.com such as researches on Malay language and culture.     

After two-hour talks, both sides reached an important agreement (memorandum of understanding) containing several issues: (1) sharing the data and information on the Malay in any forms (books, articles, thesis).  Under this point, it is expected that UPM and BKPBM will be the center of Malay civilization that possesses comprehensive and complete data on the history, culture and language of Malay, (2) conducting joint research, (3) exchange experts from both sides in organizing some routine agendas such as International seminar, discussions, and academic forums on the Malay culture. Those agendas will be held both in Kuala Lumpur or Yogyakarta, (4) joint publication on the Malay books, (5) continuing higher degree of education (Master and Doctoral degree) in Putra Malaya University for the BKPBM crew.

The great concern on the recent condition of Malay which should be immediately “saved” had inspired the emergence of the above points of memorandum. In addition, many parties had made use of the Malay symbols for political interests. Thus, with this in mind, the joint cooperation between UPM and BKPBM was aimed at academization of Malay. As Mahyudin said, “Culture is always been a significant means for gaining power and massive vote. Thus, through MelayuOnline.com, we make an effort to call all Malayans for understanding the Malay from cultural perspective. By doing so, we intend this effort to create academic Malay instead of political Malay”. “MelayuOnline.com tries to understand the Malay from broader perspective, not limited to racial, ethnic, geopolitical and even religious boundaries” added Mahyudin.

The Memorandum of Understanding was expected to be a means for both institution to develop the Malay culture. Both side look forward  to the realization of the MoU. The BKPBM saw the MoU as the support of its mission to give enlightenment and unite all Malayans in the world. At the end of the temu bual, both side presented gifts as a symbol of everlasting brotherhood between the Malayans.

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