Dr Siti Norkhalbi HAJI WAHSALFELAH
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam
Your Excellency,
Mr. Kevin Yeung, GBS, JP
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Chair of the ASIA CULTURAL COOPERATION FORUM
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good day.
First of all, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and congratulations to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China for the kind hospitality extended to our delegation and impeccable arrangements made for this important meeting today.
Excellencies,
Brunei Darussalam, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is highly committed in efforts to preserve and develop our national culture. We are targeting deliverables that are both achievable and impactful to the development of our community and nation as a whole, evidently documented in our Strategic Plan 2020-2024.
Under the Cultural Sector, we are always mindful of the changing landscape and on the need for concerted efforts in protecting and preserving our culture, our identity.
Recognising the strong links between culture and nation building, it is deemed important to continuously explore and pursue constructive collaborations to fulfil this aspiration. Through relations that we have established, either bilaterally, regionally or globally, we have continued to pursue positive engagements in the cultural sector. Activities such as dialogues, visits exchanges and experience sharing have been ongoing, contributing to the strengthening of common understanding and mutual respect for one another.
We believe, our meeting today plays an important role in reinforcing this endeavour, specifically in cultivating and increasing the spirit of unity in our collective efforts in the cultural sector.
Excellencies,
Today’s landscape has demonstrated many challenges and risks for the cultural sector, especially in the preservation of cultural and historical heritage.
Modernisation and development, as an example, have somehow managed, to a certain extent, provided a distraction, swaying people away from anything that is deemed antiquated like culture and heritage. Therefore, attitude of indifference or lacking of interest and curiosity about culture, heritage and history needs to be addressed urgently by reframing how matters pertaining to culture and heritage can be better appreciated and preserved over time.
‘Revitalisation and Conservation of Historical Heritage’ is one of the arising concerns in today’s landscape.
Cultural risks, that are man-made and natural, have prompted countries to rethink their strategies to counter any adverse effect from such challenges.
Natural risks such as climate change, brings extreme weathers that can have crippling effects on tangible heritage such as historical sites, monuments and buildings.
Therefore, in view of the many anticipated or unknown challenges, our meeting today is an important platform for us to embark on constructive activities through cultural exchanges. This will hopefully contribute, either directly or indirectly, in nurturing common understanding that will endure through time.
Excellencies,
In Brunei Darussalam, historical heritage is governed and protected under the Antiquities and Treasure Troves Act. As custodian of the Act, the Museums Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports works closely with other government agencies in the enforcement of the Act.
Acknowledging the unique architecture and design of each historical sites, monuments and building in the country, and cognizant of their economic potentials, efforts on the revitalization and conservation of historical sites have also been given great importance in the Action Plan of the Museums Department 2021-2024.
We are happy to announce the revitalization project of the old Customs and Excise Building at the Royal Wharf, which was a project collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports with Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Development and sponsored by the Brunei Shell Joint Venture Companies. The historical building was recently renamed as Brunei Energy Hub Dermaga Diraja during its reopening, which was officiated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 23 October 2022. This successful revitalization of a heritage building into a state-of-the-art education centre and museum was made possible through the whole-of-nation approach.
Aspiration towards becoming centres of excellence has also been paved the way towards raising quality standards and excellence. The anticipated outcome from this, among others, include efficient asset management, which encompasses the initiatives to preserve, conserve and develop cultural and historical assets such as monuments, sites and buildings.
Excellencies,
We view that the ACCF has provided another useful platform for participants to gain cultural insights and awareness as well as understanding. This is aligned to ongoing efforts, via other similar platforms, to bridge cultural difference, promote common values, diverse culture, and spirit of unity through cultural exchanges and sharing.
On that note, we look forward to continuing our discussions and exchanges in cultural domain, as well as explore collaborative activities in the preservation and development of our cultural heritage.
Thank you again, Excellency, and congratulations on convening this meeting.