KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Aug: The Aluddin Mosque in Jugra, Kuala Langat, is among the 112 items declared as National Heritages 2015 by the National Heritage Department (JWN) today.

The country’s highest recognition was awarded in view that the mosque has a very important role in history and has high value to national heritage.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said that it is the ministry’s effort, through JWN, to provide awareness to the community in the effort to protect and preserve national heritage.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said that it is the ministry’s effort, through JWN, to provide awareness to the community in the effort to protect and preserve national heritage.

“Such efforts can protect and conserve heritage buildings, in addition to becoming an attraction to tourists that come and appreciate the uniqueness of landscape with the identity of local heritage character,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the National Heritage Declaration Ceremony at the Malaysian Museum Department Auditorium today.

The plaque and certificate of declaration of Alauddin Mosque as a 2015 National Heritage was personally received by the Chief Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, and was also attended by the JWN Heritage Commissioner, Dr Zainah Ibrahim, and the Chairman of the Perak Committee of Art, Tourism and Culture, Datuk Norlee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi.

In addition to the Alauddin Mosque, an origami art practitioner from the Mah Meri Indigenous Community from Pulau Carey, Maznah Anak Unyan, also represented Selangor to receive the National Heritage as Tokoh Orang Hidup.

The declaration this year involved 9 sites, 98 objects and 5 figures as 2015 National Heritages.

They all received plaques, certificates and a list of ‘do and don’ts’ as a guideline in maintaining and preserving these items.

Meanwhile, the five Tokoh Orang Hidup (Living Figures) each took home RM20,000 in cash, certificates of appreciation and first-class medical benefits at government hospitals.

Since JWN’s establishment in 2006, 496 items have been declared as National Heritages as of date.

According to Section 68 of the National Heritage Act 2005, anyone can nominate and the public can do so by downloading the nomination form at the National Heritage Department website at www.heritage.gov.my.

“The proclamation of any site, building, object and any item will not take possession of the site and building by the government, and instead it will remain in possession of the owner.

“In fact, the gazetted buildings can still be transferred of sold to another party without affecting its commercial value,” said Nazri.

He also called on all local authorities to take strides in identifying heritage zones at their areas to produce an urban heritage landscape that is balanced and harmonious with the development planned.

“The characteristic that is needed for heritage nomination is that it has to have historical importance, historical and social relations, or Malaysian society culture and unique design.

“For example, the KLCC Twin Towers can also be regarded as a meaningful heritage, not necessarily something old being the main factor that determines a heritage, as the public understands,” he said.

At the same event, Nazri also signed the list and placed the National Heritage plaque at the National Museum.

NS