SHAH ALAM, Sept 19 — The government is considering additional funds to facilitate the repatriation of important historical artefacts and documents held abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said the costs involved in retrieving these pieces of history could be substantial, but no specific budget has been allocated for this effort.
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 National History and Unity Convention 2024: Tracing History, Building National Unity, here today.
Zahid said some of these artefacts were not only stolen but taken abroad as confidential documents by colonial officials, either personally or officially.
In his opening speech, 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.
“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 the country’s history is written based on factual evidence, free from ideological bias.
— Bernama
