Govt considers RM5mil matching grants for memorials to 10 leaders

PETALING JAYA: The government is looking into providing a RM5 million matching grant for efforts to revive memorials to 10 Malaysian leaders and to accelerate the digitisation of the country’s historical records and archives, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the initiative, managed by the National Archives, would support efforts to strengthen national identity, patriotism and national unity, Bernama reported. It would include interactive exhibitions at venues such as schools, shopping centres and public transport hubs.

Speaking in Kota Kinabalu today, Anwar urged the Sabah state government to consider providing a suitable site for a memorial to appreciate the services and sacrifices of figures who shaped the history of the state and the country.

The National Archives currently operates a memorial to seven national leaders who were instrumental in Malayan independence and the formation of Malaysia. They are: Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock, VT Sambanthan, Dr Lim Chong Eu, Mustapha Harun, Fuad Stephens and Temenggung Jugah Barieng.

The Negarawan Memorial’s main exhibition is housed at the original Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet meeting room in Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur. There are separate memorials to former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Abdul Razak Hussein and Hussein Onn.

Anwar also said RM10,000 in activity grants would be provided for the 189 Rukun Negara secretariats in colleges and universities, and RM5,000 each for the 6,849 Rukun Negara clubs in schools.

Wisdom of past leaders

Anwar said the formation of a nation-state like Malaysia required great wisdom and patience, as shown by the country’s founding figures such as Tunku Abdul Rahman, as well as leaders from Sabah and Sarawak. They possessed noble spirits and a deep love for the country despite representing different backgrounds, he said.

“It is interesting that figures such as Temenggung Jugah, Mustapha and Fuad – they all had sincere intentions to make Malaysia a success,” he said.

The prime minister reminded the people to continue the struggle of past leaders by safeguarding national unity and not allowing racial or regional issues to be used to sow hatred. It is not wrong to raise issues related to ethnic groups but actions that instil hatred and disrespect for differences would lead to division.