KUALA LUMPUR: The new National Cultural Policy which comprises measures to forge national identity among Malaysians, is expected to be launched in March next year.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the policy, currently in the process of refinement, was formulated based on the previous National Cultural Policy 1971.
“We also took into account the current development in science and technology as well as globalisation issues that exist in our country.
“… the new policy provides us with a guideline to address the influx of foreign cultures into our country,” he said during the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) who wanted to know the ministry’s action plan in nurturing and preserving local heritage, customs and culture, especially among youth.
It was reported that Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi had said the new policy has the vision to achieve a developed nation by uplifting the arts, culture and heritage in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
Replying to the original question from Dr Hasan Baharom (PH-Tampin) on the ministry’s efforts in promoting the Malays, Sabah and Sarawak cultures at the international level, Muhammad Bakhtiar said the ministry through Tourism Malaysia (TM) had been introducing the country as among top tourist destinations in various ways.
He said this included TM’s participation in international travel exhibitions such as World Travel Mart in London, International Tourism Bourse in Berlin, Arab Travel Mart in Dubai, South Indian Travel & Tourism Exhibition in New Delhi and ASEAN Travel Forum.
“The culture of various ethnics would be showcased through dances and traditional costumes during performances for visitors.
“Apart from cultural performances, they also promote indigenous crafts such as batik demonstration and the art of henna hand-painting,” he said.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said TM also invited writers, journalists and international social media influencers to participate in familiarisation visits to local homestays. – Bernama