Govt mulls more funding to repatriate historical artefacts - DPM

The government is considering additional allocations to facilitate the repatriation and recovery of important historical artefacts and documents currently held abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the costs involved in retrieving these pieces of history could be substantial, and as of now, no specific budget has been allocated.

Zahid said he has tasked National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang with presenting the matter to the cabinet next week.

“While efforts have been made to bring back historical items from abroad, the funds have been insufficient.

“What the National Archives requires is funding based on the value of these historical materials, many of which remain in former colonial offices, museums or individually held,” he told reporters after officiating the 2024 National History and Unity Convention: “Tracing History, Building National Unity” in Shah Alam today.

He said some of these artefacts were not only stolen but also seized and taken abroad as confidential documents by colonial officials, either personally or officially.

In his opening speech, Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, stressed the importance of preserving historical facts, saying that they should not be manipulated to fuel disputes stemming from ideological differences on sensitive topics like race, royalty and religion (3R).

“History must be based on objective facts, not distorted for political or personal gain. Excessive racial and political polarisation has planted seeds of hatred, leading to a disregard for true historical facts, which must be addressed urgently.

“Therefore, history must be adapted and refined in line with contemporary realities, viewed from a broader, more objective perspective, rather than serving the interests of small, fragmented groups,” he said.

The Bagan Datuk MP said the government is considering the formation of a National Historians Council, which is hoped to take a lead role in countering the distortion of historical facts, which has long caused negative perceptions and poses a threat to national unity and stability.

He also said the government will elevate the council as the highest authority on historical matters, ensuring that the country’s history is written based on factual evidence, free from ideological bias.

- Bernama

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