KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Ministry of National Unity will consistently provide support for ongoing initiatives and recognise intellectual programmes with the potential to foster community unity, strengthen consensus and preserve cultural traditions.
Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said a greater understanding of cultural and social traditions contributes to better mutual understanding and plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the wider region.
As such, he hoped the National Archives of Malaysia could establish cooperation with the Republic of Korea to further disseminate its role in strengthening the nation’s historical and cultural resources through its documentation and advocacy programmes.
“This effort is in line with the development concept of Malaysia MADANI, which also utilises a whole of government approach,” he said at the launching ceremony of the ‘40 Years of the Look East Policy between Malaysia and the Republic of Korea’ exhibition here today.
Also present was the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia, Yeo Seung-Bae.
Aaron said the exhibition serves as a comprehensive introduction to South Korea’s journey towards becoming a major global economic power.
He added Malaysia has strong, stable relations with Korea, and the Look East Policy (LEP) between the two nations remains very relevant and has contributed to the broadening of bilateral cooperation and increasing regional cooperation.
“I look forward to witnessing more years of successful and enduring economic partnership between Malaysia and South Korea. With the commitment from both sides, I am confident that both Malaysia and Korea will soar to greater heights,” he said.
Korea is Malaysia’s eighth-largest trading partner and seventh-largest foreign investor, while Malaysia ranks as Korea’s third-largest trading partner and fourth-largest investment destination among ASEAN countries.
The ‘40 Years of the Look East Policy between Malaysia and the Republic of Korea’ exhibition showcases the unique collection of materials related to the LEP stored in the National Archives and demonstrates the journey of implementing the policy in collaboration with the Republic of Korea.
The materials were obtained from several government agencies, including document collections, newspapers, private letters and photographs, which provide exclusive and unique information about the LEP.
The exhibition is a collaborative programme between the National Archives and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. It will be held for three days at the Tun Hussein Onn Memorial until Oct 26 and subsequently at the National Archives for a month.
