KUCHING: The world’s first Malay novel ‘Hikayat Panglima Nikosa Mendapat Kesusahan Waktu Perang Hingga Mendapat Kesenangan’ will be nominated for UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) programme, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said.
He said the first Malay novel masterpiece was published by Sarawak Malays since 1876.
“The original manuscript has been found in a library at the Rhodes House of Library in London.
“The publication, study and documentation of the manuscript is being actively carried out for it to be nominated for the MoW programme,” he said in his speech during the Sarawak Malay Culture Foundation Charitable Trust (AKYBMS) Majlis Sama Rindok Aidiliftri at Pullman Hotel here yesterday (May 10).
On unity and racial harmony, Awang Tengah urged the Malays to maintain unity among themselves and with the other races.
“We must take care and maintain it at all times so that future generations can inherit a country and a state that is peaceful and advanced in terms of social, political and economic aspects.
“Only with the high value of agreement between races and ethnicities can we contribute to prosperity. That is the responsibility of all of us, not just the leaders,” he added.
He said all problems and conflicts should be resolved amicably.
“I would like to remind everyone that we must be wary of any form of extremism, emotional manipulation and negative narratives, and should work together towards empathy, compassion and mutual respect.
“We must be united and steadfast in supporting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak government under the visionary leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and work together to achieve our vision of Sarawak being a progressive state by 2030 as laid out in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030,” he said.
