IPOH, June 8 — The Community Archives Initiative has helped raise awareness among Malaysians that the preservation of historical records is a shared responsibility, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

Describing the initiative as a best practice, he said it facilitates the documentation of many valuable historical records still found in the community, including family albums, village collections, local associations, houses of worship, schools and personal collections.

“We have been holding this programme for several years and the response has been very encouraging. In the past two to three years, we have received more than 300,000 materials from the community for documentation,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the 30th South-east Asia and Pacific AudioVisual Archives Association (SEAPAVAA) Conference here today, which was also attended by National Archives of Malaysia director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor and SEAPAVAA president Karen Chan.

Meanwhile, Aaron, in his welcoming speech, said national institutions play a critical role in preserving documentary heritage, adding that the responsibility cannot rest solely with governments and archival professionals, as the future of archival preservation increasingly depends on active community participation.

“Therefore, I encourage communities across South-east Asia and the Pacific to actively participate in documenting and preserving their local histories, traditions and collective memories. When preservation becomes a shared responsibility, our archives become richer, more inclusive and more representative of the diverse societies we serve,” he said.

In the meantime, Aaron said Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is seen as a great help in transforming archival workflows, as it can automatically identify faces, objects, locations and historical events within large collections.

“Machine learning tools can assist archivists in cataloguing vast quantities of digital content that would otherwise require years of manual processing.

“Advanced restoration technologies are also breathing new life into damaged materials. AI-assisted restoration can remove scratches from film, improve audio clarity, reconstruct deteriorated footage and enhance historical recordings while maintaining authenticity,” he said.

On the conference, which carries the theme “Redefining Audiovisual in Archives: Relevancy, Technology and Unity”, Aaron said it reaffirms Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and embracing technological innovation in preserving the region’s audiovisual heritage for future generations.

This year’s edition brings together audiovisual archivists, heritage professionals, academics and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss emerging challenges, technological advancements and collaborative approaches to preserving audiovisual heritage in the digital era. — Bernama