Day: October 25, 2021

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Malaysian Culture Week 2021 in hybrid mode from Oct 25-30

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 25 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is organising the Malaysian Culture Week (MBM) 2021 themed ‘Bangkit Asal’ to uplift or revive the country’s arts, culture and heritage, in a hybrid manner from today (Oct 25) until Oct 30.

MOTAC in a statement today said the Malaysian Culture Week is the ministry’s ‘signature programme’ as a platform to showcase the diversity of arts, culture and heritage in Malaysia by providing space to express cultural diversity.

The programme involves ten departments or agencies under MOTAC which have their respective signature products, it said.

The agencies involved are the National Department for Culture and Arts, Museum Department, National Heritage Department, National Archives, National Library, Istana Budaya, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, National Art Gallery, National Academy of Arts Culture and Heritage (Aswara) and Tourism Malaysia.

Various interesting activities have been lined up by each agency to fill in through the MOTAC Facebook platform as well as the website www.mbm2021.com, from 2 pm to 6 pm from Oct 25 to 30.

The activities that will be presented are related to archiving, cultural arts and heritage education, performing arts, visual arts, selected manuscript content, arts and culture based on Malaysian cultural roots.

There will also be videos recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), artifacts and national history, as well as the branding of Malaysia as ‘Top of The Mind Ecotourism Destination of the World’.

MOTAC Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the implementation of the programme was in line with the strategic planning in the MOTAC Tourism Recovery Plan to expand the promotional aspect to attract tourists when the border gates open.

“With a programme like this, it is hoped that it can revive the country’s tourism and cultural industry under the new norms,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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IdeaXchange successfully gathers experts’ views; Formulates national STIE strategy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The IdeaXchange programme has successfully gathered the views of experts and stakeholders in strengthening the policy, governance and ecosystem of science, technology and innovation (STI), as well as formulating the country’s science, technology, innovation and economy (STIE) strategy.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the platform has also created STIE’s focus areas including the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy Framework (10-10 MySTIE), the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy as well as the National Biotechnology Policy.

“Most of the views from IdeaXchange will be included in policy papers and reinforced with data and analysis so that relevant inputs can be presented directly through research by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) as the think tank for this ministry and other ministries based on evidence and facts.

“At the moment, in line with the ministry’s effort to mainstream STIE in every initiative and programme at the national level, ASM provides inputs on STI to over 14 ministries, state governments and agencies. Through IdeaXchange, more than 800 ASM experts have contributed their ideas based on the current STIE topics.”

He said this when launching the 35th IdeaXchange entitled Building a Resilient Nation: STI as the enabler of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which was held virtually today.

According to Dr Adham, all proposals and views from the studies conducted by ASM since 2015 were monitored and to date, almost 80 per cent of the proposals had been accepted and approved by the government.

The IdeaXchange programme is a platform for the scientific community as well as members of the ASM expert network to exchange ideas and discuss issues related to STI.

In the meantime, Dr Adham hoped that more researchers can produce more focused and high-impact studies in order to achieve the mission of making Malaysia a high-technology and resilient country.

To this end, he said all researchers should have the characteristics of a world-class researcher who is able to bring about change, excels in creating opportunities and successfully conducts transformative and impactful research and projects.

He added that based on ASM’s Science Outlook 2020 report, the large number of researchers were in higher education institutions with 79.92 per cent, followed by the industrial sector (15.85 per cent) and government research institutions (4.14 per cent).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Wisma Putra monitoring political developments in Sudan following military takeover

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 25 — Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) is monitoring closely the developments in Sudan following the latest reports of a military takeover.

The Ministry will continue to undertake efforts to safeguard Malaysia’s interest in that country, including the PETRONAS Sudan Complex, which also houses the Embassy of Malaysia, and Agencies of the United Nations and international organisations.

“As a matter of urgency, the above matters and concern pertaining to the safety of Malaysians in The Sudan were conveyed to the Sudanese Charge d’ Affaires, who was summoned to Wisma Putra this afternoon,” Wisma Putra said in a statement on Monday.

According to the Malaysian Embassy in Khartoum, all 42 Malaysians, including 27 students registered with the Embassy were safe, with officials at the embassy in close contact with them.

The Foreign Ministry advised Malaysians requiring consular assistance in Sudan to contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Khartoum, or the Ministry through the following channels:

Embassy of Malaysia in Khartoum at : Malaysia House, House 17, Block B21, Street Khalifa Abdullah, Al Riyadh, or via telephone at +249 99 070 0350 or via e-mail: mwkhartoum@kln.gov.my, or social media: @Malawakil.Khartoum (Facebook) @MYEmbKhartoum (Twitter).

They can also contact Wisma Putra during office hours at 03-88874201 / 4530 or after office hours at 03-88874570.

Officials in Khartoum on Monday said that the Sudanese military arrested Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and members of his government after he refused to support what it described as a “coup”.

Hamdok was taken to unknown location, Anadolu Agency reported the Culture and Information Ministry saying on Twitter.

Tensions escalated between the military and civilian politicians since a failed coup attempt in Sudan last month.

Sudan is currently administered by a Sovereign Council of military and civilian authorities, which oversees the transition period until elections slated for 2023, as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Federation for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency