Minister: WHC Deputy Chairman Appointment Huge Recognition For Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The selection of Malaysia to sit in the World Heritage Committee (WHC) and its appointment as deputy chairman is a major success and huge recognition for the country over the struggle to protect its heritage, said Information, Communications and Culture minister Dr Rais Yatim. He said the first time selection was achieved with 96 votes from members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). "This shows the world is starting to look at Malaysia as a country which is serious in fighting issues relating to local and world heritage. "This is an appreciation of our nation and simultaneously brings a responsibility, and international interaction which is of a very high value. "Through Unesco, we can socialise and get their views and guidance on how Malaysia can be more prominent in achievements relating to heritage," he told reporters after launching a documentary series 'Malaysian Heritage at a Glance' at Auditorium P. Ramlee, Angkasapuri here, Tuesday. He said Malaysia would draw WHC's attention to see Asian heritage in a new light stressing on fresh evaluations of past studies done by researchers from here or other member nations. Citing the effort to get World Heritage recognition for Lembah Lenggong in Perak as an example, Rais said he hoped the Unesco evaluation panel would turn it into a world heritage site as approved by the Cabinet on Aug 25 last year. He said if the aspiration became a reality, it would be very meaningful for the country in terms of economy, tourism and research. "Penang and Melaka are already in our hands, Kinabalu National Park (Sabah) and Mulu (Sarawak) we have. So, if we justify our cases, I am confident we will have good news for Malaysia next year," he said. The finding of 10,000 to 11,000 years old skeleton of Perak Man in Lembah Lenggong was among the factors favouring the valley to be turned into a world heritage and tourism location. In 2008, Unesco recognised Melaka and George Town in Penang as world heritage sites under the cities category. Prior to this, in 2000, it declared Kinabalu National Park in Sabah and Mulu National Park in Sarawak as world heritage sites under the natural sites category. -- BERNAMA