Experts Focus On Keeping Malay Language, Culture Alive

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - The Minister of Education yesterday called for the establishment of an international centre to preserve Malay cultural and societal values so that any efforts introduced to preserve Malay are effective.

Education Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Data Setia Hj Mohamed Taib voiced his support for such a centre at the International conference on Malay Culture and Society, themed "Elevating Malay Culture in the era of Globalisation", at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The conference brings together local and international experts, researchers and scholars and aims to create an impact on the perspective and knowledge and local communities on Malay culture and society.

During the four-day conference a total of 26 working papers will be delivered by 27 experts on Malay culture.

Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman warned that Malays should be quick to adapt to change. "We cannot run from whatever happens in this world. This means we cannot run from changes, because regardless of whether it is quick or slow, changes will happen," the Minister said.

Malays have thousands of years of experience in unplanned assimilation, he said. "With the capability that we have now, this process and its result can be controlled according to what we think is beneficial to the rise and the strengthening of Malay language itself," Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman said.

He also pointed out that young Malays not adhering to traditional Malay values was not an easy issue to tackle, stressing that it is not as simple as blaming the young generation for not wanting to preserve their culture.

"These are global issues that requires experts from various disciplines. This is a job for all the world's communities, including the Malay community," he added.

Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman said that Brunei was fortunate in that the national philosophy Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) was "a legacy embedded strongly in the soul of Bruneians identity".

He elaborated that the Malay values that form the foundation of the philosophy act as a shield to ward off negative influences that come with modernisation.

He lauded the conference, saying it provided a platform for these issues to be discussed and paved the way for a collective agreement to be reached on a systematic and effective way to elevate Malay culture and societal values.

For these developments to become a reality, all parties involved in the planning, policy making as well as the grassroots levels should cooperate, he said.

"We are confident that we can restore the merits in politics, (public) administration, culture and economy that Brunei had," he said.

Brunei has a glorious past, he noted. "History should not be seen as merely past events for research materials and academic discussions," he said.

"It is better to see Malay history as something that will remain relevant in this century, preserved and carry through the times".-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times. (Rasidah HAB)

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Photo: http://www.travelpod.com

Share

Write your comment !