KOTA BARU, Sept 24 — The Malay community must uphold its arts and cultural heritage to prevent erosion of Malay values, said Socio-cultural Advisor to the Malaysian Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said that if the Malay community themselves ignored efforts to preserve and embrace Malay cultural practices, they would no longer have their own identity.
“The Malays will no longer have an identity and language... if that happens, the Malay Rulers will abdicate due to the Malays themselves not feeling that they have a Royal institution) that should be defended,” he said.
He told this to reporters after receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Heritage) at the 6th convocation of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), here today.
It was conferred by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, who is also UMK Pr-Chancellor.
The four-day convocation beginning will see 1,766 graduates receiving their scrolls.
Rais said efforts to uphold Malay arts and cultural heritage could also prevent other parties from disparaging them.
“If we do not turn to the Malay culture, the Malays cannot be called Malays,” he said, adding that besides the government, other parties, including UMK could help enliven Malay arts and cultural heritage.
He said the education transformation process would not be complete if the elements of arts and cultural heritage were not nurtured as part of the learning essence. — Bernama
