The main cultural assets of Malaysia

The cultural heritage in Malaysia is an embodiment of the history, culture and values of the Malaysian people. It encapsulates the nation’s soul and spirit and underpins its identity and sovereignty. These heritages are source of pride and asset that symbolises the multi-culture and multi-ethnic Malaysia to the rest of the world. The cultural heritage in Malaysia can be divided into built heritage, archaeological heritage, underwater cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage.

The legal framework on cultural heritage conservation

The most prominent legal instrument for heritage conservation and protection in Malaysia is the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645); an Act to enforce provisions for the conservation and preservation of the National Heritage, natural heritage, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, under water cultural heritage, treasure/troves and for related matters. The act has 17 parts comprising 126 sections on conservation and preservation of heritage. The Act empowers the Minister to formulate policies on heritage conservation and preservation, appointment of the Commissioner of Heritage, National Heritage Council Members and Enforcement Officers, as well as other officers to assist the carrying out their functions as stipulated in the Act. Thus, all matters pertaining to conservation and preservation of heritage are subjected to Act 645. Non-compliance to any provision of Act 645 is an offence which may be punishable by a compound, a fine or imprisonment.

Apart from Act 645, there are other various protective designation for heritage at the federal, state and local level such as the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) and state level heritage enactments/ordinances.

The cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List

Malaysia’s natural and cultural heritage has contributed to the richness and diversity of the world’s collective heritage, having met the requirement of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Currently there are four (4) sites in Malaysia inscribed on the World Heritage List as below;
i. Kinabalu Park (Natural)
ii. Gunung Mulu National Park (Natural)
iii. Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Cultural)
iv. Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (Cultural)

Malaysia is a Member State of ICCROM since 04/11/1966

Mandates in ICCROM Council since 1958:

ICCROM Staff since 1959: - None -

Governmental Cultural Institutions

• Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
• Department of National Heritage
• National Archives of Malaysia
• National Library Malaysia
• Department of Museum Malaysia
• National Culture and Arts Department
• The Palace of Culture
• National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation
• National Visual Arts Development Institute

Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions

• Penang State Museum & Art Gallery
• Kedah State Museum Board
• Terengganu State Museum Board
• Terengganu State Heritage Trust Board
• Kelantan States Museum Corporation
• Perak State Museum Board
• Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation
• Negeri Sembilan Museum Board
• Melaka Museums Corporation
• Melaka Heritage Institute
• Johor Heritage Foundation
• Department of Sabah State Museum
• Sarawak Museum Department

* ICCROM reserves the right to moderate the content provided by Member States for country profiles to ensure that they remain within the scope of ICCROM’s mission and pertinent to cultural heritage. However, ICCROM does not take responsibility for the accuracy and validity of the content supplied. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the Member States.