Mon Sep 23 23:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Malaysia to Prioritize Retrieval of Historical Manuscripts from Abroad
**PETALING JAYA** – The Malaysian government has pledged to prioritize the repatriation of historical manuscripts currently held overseas, focusing particularly on a long list of ancient manuscripts.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang emphasized the importance of securing copyrights to these historical documents, including both digital and original formats. “We need the original manuscripts for safekeeping,” he stated, highlighting the National Archives’ capacity to store them.
The minister highlighted the significance of retrieving these manuscripts, which are expected to offer valuable insights into the history of Malay sultanates and other crucial historical facts. Once retrieved, these manuscripts will be accessible to the public.
The National Archives has identified a list of manuscripts to be retrieved, with a particularly important collection being the Light Letters, or the Malay Archipelago Correspondence Collection. These letters, housed at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, contain writings from Malay sultanates, dignitaries, traders, and prominent figures, including Francis Light, the founder of Penang.
While the original manuscripts remain at SOAS, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has obtained the copyrights to the digital version of the Light Letters under an agreement signed in 2018. The collection is currently accessible to the public.
Datuk Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman, director-general of the National Archives, emphasized the value of these materials for resolving issues related to national sovereignty, historical facts, and delineation. “A comprehensive archive collection can strengthen the national identity and foster a sense of pride in historical heritage,” he said.
The retrieval of these manuscripts is expected to be a challenging process, but the Malaysian government is committed to securing them for the benefit of future generations.
First Piper 