11.2 – Support of arts and heritage

11.2.6 – Record and preserve cultural heritage

The record and preservation of cultural heritage at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) encompass a range of unique collections and artifacts that highlight the historical, intellectual, and cultural richness of Malaysia. Notable among these are the Schacht Collection, an extensive library resource containing rare and valuable materials on Islamic studies; The Galeri Litograf, Karikatur & Manuskrip, showcasing lithographs, caricatures, and manuscripts that provide insights into the social and cultural landscape of Malaysia through historical visual records; and the Tun Ahmad Sarji Collection, which features materials donated by the former Pro-Chancellor, covering subjects from civil service to arts and heritage. Additionally, the earliest Malay manuscripts and distinctive local dialects, such as the Segamat dialect, represent Malaysia’s linguistic and historical diversity. These initiatives, collections, and exhibitions demonstrate UKM’s commitment to preserving Malaysia’s cultural heritage, ensuring its accessibility to future generations and promoting research that deepens our understanding of Malay civilization.

National Cultural Heritage

1. The Schacht Collection 

Schacht Collection is the first conscious attempt by the UKM library to set up a special collection. This sizable collection consists of a diverse and extensive range of materials. Its strength is not only its size, but more importantly the rare materials, books with fine binding and first editions of famous works. These materials are valuable to researchers on hadith, Qur’an, Islamic law, Sufism, history and civilization and biography-related studies of Islam. It is important to note that good care of these materials cannot be taken for granted. Library staff and readers need constant reminders of the importance of careful handling, proper storage and cleanliness so that these materials could be preserved as far as possible in their original formats for posterity.

Source: https://journalarticle.ukm.my/4151
Source: https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/388891

2. The earliest manuscripts of the Malay world

The earliest manuscripts of the Malay world refer to written texts or documents produced during the early development of Malay civilization. These manuscripts were typically written in Jawi script or other ancient scripts, such as Pallava and Kawi, which originated from Indian cultural influences before evolving into local writing forms. These manuscripts play a crucial role in the history, literature, religion, law, and culture of Malay and broader Southeast Asian societies. The earliest Malay manuscripts are now preserved in Muzium Warisan Akademik UKM. This effort is essential to ensure that this heritage endures and remains accessible to future generations.

Local Cultural Heritage

1. First Student Magazine: SEMESTA

The first student magazine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was SEMESTA, published in 1971 by the First Residential College at UKM. The initial editorial team was led by Chamhuri Siwar. SEMESTA served as a platform for students to voice their opinions, share ideas, and showcase their creative works. It also acted as a medium for disseminating information about campus activities, current issues, and academic developments at UKM. This publication reflects the intellectual and cultural spirit of students during that era and has become an important part of the history of campus publications in Malaysia.

2. Tun Ahmad Sarji Collection

This collection consists of material donated by The Most Honorable Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, Pro-Chancellor of UKM and also Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia in 1990-1996. His collection consists of various subjects such as civil service, corporate administration, art and heritage, religion, humanities and sport. This collection can be used for reference only and placed at Anjung Pro-Canselor Tun Ahmad Sarji, level 4, main library.

Source: https://www.ukm.my/ptsl/?page_id=789&lang=ms#
Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1622004711189613.1073742330.366371043419659&type=3&_rdr

Heritage of Displaced Communities

1. The Galeri Litograf, Karikatur & Manuskrip

The Galeri Litograf, Karikatur & Manuskrip at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is a unique gallery within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), showcasing an exceptional collection of lithographs, caricatures, and manuscripts. These items, which are not cataloged by other research institutions, provide invaluable insights into Malaysian heritage and history. The lithographs include works by colonial artists invited by the Portuguese, British, and French governments, depicting significant cultural events, society, and the unique flora and fauna of Peninsular Malaysia. The caricatures, drawn by local artists and originally published in newspapers and magazines, reflect political, economic, and social themes from the 1930s through the Malaya era and up to the formation of Malaysia. The manuscript collection includes Malay and Bugis texts, featuring an 18th-century diary from the Sultan of Bone, which documents the daily lives of the Bugis community and their trade relationships with regions like southern Johor and Sulawesi. The gallery is located on the 4th floor of Block A in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at UKM’s Bangi campus in Selangor, Malaysia.

Sources: https://www.ukm.my/sphea/mengenai-kami/kemudahan-2/galeri-litograf-karikatur-manuskrip/

2. The Segamat Dialect

The Segamat dialect is a unique variant of the Malay language spoken in the Segamat district of Johor. This dialect has distinctive features that set it apart from standard Malay and other dialects in Malaysia. In terms of phonology, the Segamat dialect shows variations in vowel and consonant pronunciation compared to standard Malay. For example, the vowel ‘a’ at the end of words often changes to ‘o,’ as in “saya” becoming “sayo.” Lexically, it includes unique vocabulary not found in other dialects, such as the word “ghok,” which means “to sleep.” Morphologically, the dialect has distinct prefixes and suffixes; for instance, the prefix ‘me-‘ in standard Malay may be replaced with ‘nge-,’ as in “membaca” becoming “ngebaco.” Syntactically, variations in word order and sentence structure give the dialect its unique identity.

The Segamat dialect has special cultural significance. It reflects the cultural identity of the Segamat community and serves as a symbol of local pride. As part of Malaysia’s linguistic heritage, it contributes to the country’s linguistic diversity and is important for preservation and study. The dialect is also influenced by Segamat’s geographical proximity to Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, which has led to a unique blend of linguistic elements from these regions. For further information on the Segamat dialect and its distinctive features, refer to an article by Ungku Mohd Zaman Tahir in the book “Segamat: Sejarah & Mitosnya (Bahagian 2),” published in 2001. A copy of this article is available at the Library of the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, with the call number 7845.

Sources:  https://malaycivilization.com.my/omeka/items/show/215102