ADDRESS BY Y.B. DATO' SABBARUDDIN CHIK, MINISTER
OF CULTURE, ARTS AND TOURISM, AT THE OPENING
CEREMONY OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON "AV ARCHIIVING IN
THE NEXT MILLENIUM: WORKING TOGETHER TO
PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE"
19 APRIL 1999



Y. Bhg. Dato' Habibah Zon,
Director-General, National Archives of Malaysia.

Distinguished Resource Persons

Honourable Guests and Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to all of you gathered here today at the 4th SEAPAVAA Conference and General Assembly. It is indeed my privilege to be able to greet and address this assembly of distinguished visitors, honoured guests and participants. And as Minister in charge of Tourism, may I express hope to our distant visitors that in the space of these few days you will find time to visit as many places in Kuala Lumpur and its environs as your busy schedule would allow.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that we have cause to celebrate the distance you have come. And this despite the current crisis affecting the region as a whole. I am not just referring to the physical distance that many of you would have travelled. I speak of something more important, and that is the achievements in audio-visual archiving that stand to your credit at a time when resources are getting a little too scarce in this part of the world. It is generally believed that during times such as these, culturally vulnerable areas such as archives are normally among the first to feel the pinch, what more to speak of audiovisual archives!

There are silver linings, nonetheless! As far as Malaysia is concerned, I am proud to be able to say here that the government, and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism in particular has always been interested in archives as a central concern, both as a profession and as an important government priority. The symbol of this commitment is the National Archives of Malaysia, a public institution that the government has never failed to nurture and nourish in the interest of keeping our history alive and vibrant. I am pleased to announce that despite economic constraints, the National Archives of Malaysia is close to establishing its own centre for the documentation and conservation of audio-visual archives. The move is not just in line with world trends in the conservation and storage of audio-visual archives, but is also in keeping with the Malaysian tradition of emphasizing the importance of preserving the inestimable treasures of our historical legacy.

For all our sense of history, I must add, however, that audio-visual archiving in Malaysia and the region as a whole, has but a fairly short history. Only in recent years have we come to realize that film and sound archives are important in representing the history of a country, its culture and way of life. We have now come to realize that these materials enrich the knowledge of our past, and provide significant information on our nation's identity and collective aspirations.

I must add that the lack of awareness of the importance of these materials has resulted in the loss of significant volumes of audio-visual heritage to ignorance, carelessness and lack of foresight. In this regard, I am happy to note that SEAPAVAA is envisioned to promote awareness of audiovisual archiving as an important coordinate of the region's cultural heritage. Problems notwithstanding, I feel that with the strength of a regional forum such as SEAPAVAA firmly behind us, we have every reason to hope that existing materials can and will be saved through mutual effort. Even for materials already lost, there may still be reason to hope that some of them may be surviving elsewhere, and may be recovered over time.

Ladies and gentlemen,

When we speak of audio-visual archiving in the new millenium we are not merely confining our horizons to member countries. For the millennial challenge is for us to pursue our goals beyond the borders of the nation state, and even that of the region in addressing common issues and concerns. This is because the field of audio-visual archiving is becoming an increasingly complex mosaic, and we must remain committed to the task of raising awareness on the importance of preserving audiovisual heritage across Southeast Asia and the pacific, and beyond.

And true to the millennial spirit, we must continue to promote ASEAN regional network with the long-term view to strengthening a larger network for cultural exchange. For as we know, archives as repository of a nation's heritage serves as a rich source of materials for cultural exchange not only among member countries of a regional body such as SEAPAVAA, but also among those of similar organizations the world over. And let me emphasize that the world will definitely be richer for it!

In this connection, I am happy to learn that in the area of research, SEAPAVAA is committed to enhancing public access, not only within the respective countries and among countries in the region, but across geographic boundaries, both regional and continental as well.

On this note, allow me to wish you the success that you deserve for having organized this symposium. I am sure that this meeting of minds, spanning just the three days that it is held, will leave a lasting impression on the minds of the participants. Such is the effect of any successful Conference or symposium, that it will be remembered for many years to come. I am sure that for the majority of the participants, the symposium will afford a golden opportunity to learn from professional exchanges of ideas and experiences. In so doing let us let our eyes on the challenges of today and look forward to the next stage of our collective journey.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I now have the privilege and pleasure of declaring the 4th SEAPAVAA Conference and General Assembly officially open.

Thank you.