National Historians Council Set Up As Authoritative Body To Advise Govt On Nation’s History

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 8 (Bernama) — The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) through the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) has for the first time established the National Historians Council, which is a very important and authoritative body that plays a major role in advising the government on the narrative of national history.

The National Historian Council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang as deputy chairman, also consists of 17 members with two-year term from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2027.

The members comprise 10 historians; two archaeologists; two anthropologists and sociologists; and one representative each from KPN, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM).

Among those appointed were University of Malaya (UM) lecturer (retired) Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Ahmat Adam; Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin chair of Sultan Zainal Abidin University (UniSZA) Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Abdullah Zakaria Ghazali.

Also appointed were the chairman of Dewan Kenegaraan, Prime Minister’s Office Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman; and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM Prof Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken.

Also appointed were UM lecturer (retired) Prof Dr S.R Sivachandralingam; director of the Institute of Malay Nature and Civilization (ATMA) Associate Professor Dr Asyaari Muhamad; director of the Global Archaeological Research Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Prof Dr Stephen Chia Ming Soon; and director of the Institute of Asian Borneo Studies (IBS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Professor Dr Poline Bala.

In addition, KPN secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid; secretary-general of the Ministry of Education Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim; and secretary-general of the Ministry of Education Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim were also appointed.

At today’s ceremony, Anwar presented the letters of appointment to 17 members of the National Historians Council.

Aaron in his speech said the establishment of the council as an entity that regulates aspects of research, source references, writing, publishing, historical education and advocacy related to the country’s history is very important to ensure that the stability, peace, harmony and unity of the country are maintained.

“At the same time, the National Historians Council also plays a role in ensuring that the discoveries and contributions of various parties in the history and development of the country are recorded.

“The government’s move to establish this council is a strategic national initiative in line with developing a strong national identity that is centred on history, ensuring the accuracy of historical facts in public discourse and education, and providing a professional platform for historians,” he said.

According to Aaron, the establishment of the National Historians Council was proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during the opening of the National History and National Unity Convention last year, and the ministry had referred the establishment of the council to the Cabinet and it was approved on Jan 24.

Meanwhile, KPN in a statement announced that the National Historians Council also plays a role in generating new thoughts and ideas to strengthen inclusive national history education in line with Malaysia’s identity as a multi-racial country, as well as recommending the empowerment of the use of authoritative and integrity-based historical sources in writing of the country’s history.

“KPN continues to support efforts towards building a historical narrative that reflects diversity and unity, so that future generations can learn the country’s history based on authentic and clearly proven facts,” the statement said.

— BERNAMA

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