By Nasrullah Uul (UKM Intern)
Pix Abd Ra’ai Osman

BANGI, 13 April 2015 – The Faculty of Islamic Studies (FPI) of The National University of Malaysia (UKM) and the Historical Society of Malaysia (PSM) Selangor Branch will work together to publish books that explain the origins of settlements in the state.

Both parties signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) here today to carry out joint research programmes and seminars in the field of history.

Dean of FPI Prof Dr Wan Kamal Mujani signed on behalf of UKM while the  Selangor Branch PSM was represented by its chairman Dr Hj Muhd Yusof Hj Ibrahim.

Both sides agreed to carry out joint research programmes to broaden the areas of cooperation in all fields of specialised research on local history and culture.

Prof Wan Kamal said reviving the awareness of history’s importance is part of  raising the people’s self-esteem, especially the Malays.

He added understanding history will also help raise patriotism. The challenge, he argued, is how to give more attention to history. The strength of a nation lies in understanding history.

Dr Muhd ​​Yusof, in turn, explained they will do joint research on the origins of settlements in Selangor and the results will be published as a book entitled History of Bangi.

“With this book, we will explain who exactly founded Bangi, namely the Malays themselves.

“Indeed, there are many other books published by English historians but they did not give a clear picture of the role of Malays in the development of the towns,” said Dr Muhd ​​Yusof.

According to him seminars and workshops will also be organised apart from publishing books.

He said history can become more popular among students through  creative means, because lessons should no longer be held exclusivey in the classroom, but become more practical in nature.

For instance, learning can be done by visiting museums, historic sites, aboriginal settlements, and at school,  students can be asked to trace the origins of their families so as to make the lessons more interesting and easier to understand.

He added that non-governmental organizations and academics should encourage the government to continue to improve the learning system. The Ministry of Education should formulate policies that are more applicable and less theoretical, because history should be more direct with the community  and involve  observation.

PSM was established in 1963 and has carried out many programmes together with UKM academics.

They’ve set up small libraries, organised historical essay competitions,  historical novels, quizzes and historical theater.

With this LoI both parties expect Malaysians to  realise the importance of history for nation-building.