Preserve Malay architecture in government buildings: Rais

KUALA PILAH: Socio-Cultural Advisor to the Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim (pix) will propose to the Ministry of Works to preserve Malay traditional architecture in all government buildings nationwide to keep it alive.
"In line with the Cultural Congress 2017, we will meet with the Works Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) and several authorities to accept our proposal to use Malay traditional architecture for example, in the office of ministers, mentris besar or director-generals.
"If this is not done, Malay traditional architecture will be forgotten and we will lose our identity," he told reporters after opening Negri Sembilan Traditional Architecture Appreciation Camp, here today.
Also present were Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris and UPM Malay Heritage Museum director Dr Muhammad Pauzi Abd Latif.
Dr Rais said he would seek audience with the Malay rulers and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on the 11 resolutions adopted at the Cultural Congress which touched on the Malay language, high culture and the creative industry.
He feared for the future of Malay customs and culture which had eroded and this would erode Article 160 of the Federal Constitution which defines the Malays as someone who profess Islam, speak the Malay language and practice Malay customs.
"For me, this matter should be spearheaded by Umno since the party is the backbone of the Malays and supported by PAS and PKR."
On the National Transformation 2050 (TN50), Rais said it should possess the spirit of the Malay culture and customs so that it would be inherited by the next generation. — Bernama