Local history, but viewed from afar

Kuala Lumpur - THEY are collectively an asset that provides evidence of the historical events that shaped Malaysia.

Sadly, these assets, namely Malay manuscripts and papers of historical value, are not even available here.

They are found in foreign lands instead of being in local archives or universities.

These papers technically belong to Malaysia but the government, through the National Archives and libraries, has spent millions of ringgit to duplicate them.

Shouldn`t these items be brought home?

According to experts, it is not quite possible to do so.

Historian Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim said although Malaysia could be considered the rightful owner of the documents or manuscripts, the current holders had equal rights to them.

"These items can be a personal collection of the administrators during colonial times.

"Since they kept the record, they took it back home with them."

Khoo said to argue about who should have the original was pointless because the respective governments could highlight their contributions that gave them the right as the keeper of the original documents.

He said the Malaysian government could, however, make copies in the form of microfilms or photocopy the documents for future reference or use by researchers.

"Unfortunately, we do not have an extensive collection of these manuscripts or historical documents whereas Singapore has a better collection on Malaysian history."

Khoo said the University of Cambridge or the British Library in London had an easy-access system that allowed researchers from any part of the world to refer to these documents and make copies of them.

Local author and academician Dr Joseph M. Fernando said the British viewed Malaysian documents as "part of their country`s record of administration. It is considered to be part of their history as well. So they will not give the originals away".

He considered this as joint ownership. Although the British took documents related to Malaya then, they have a systematic archive for easy retrieval and reference.

"I can view a file or a letter within 30 minutes of formally requesting for it," said Fernando.

He has been making frequent trips to London as the National Archives of the United Kingdom has the biggest depository of Malaysian political and colonial records. He said the local archive should upgrade its system.

"I go often to the National Archives of Malaysia to research on Datuk Onn Jaafar but some of these documents are classified and the documents I want are well over 50 years old," he said, adding that similar documents were readily available in London.

He said the government should put together a team of historians to guide it on the sort of documents it should obtain for the sake of guarding the national heritage.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer in research on social economic history Associate Professor Dr Nordin Hussin said there was a lack of effort in collecting Malay manuscripts worldwide.

"These are our precious heritage that we should place much value upon, yet many are unaware of their importance. We should ask ourselves where we would stand without our history."

Nordin related an incident that rubbed salt into his wounds when academicians suggested that the Farquhar papers (history of William Farquhar, who took Malacca from the Dutch in 1795 and was the first colonial administrator of Singapore) be brought back from the United Kingdom.

"No attention was paid to it and, finally, Singapore bought the papers.

"I`m afraid one day they`ll have the biggest research centre of Malay manuscripts as they are actively buying documents which are relevant to us," he said.

He said although the man-uscripts were costly (they could cost up to RM500,000), they were worthwhile as they reflect the country`s heritage.

Source: www.nst.com.my - Shuhada Elis and R.S. Kamini (2 Juni 2008)
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