Ngo Nominated New Villages For Unesco Listing Says Nga

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Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming drew brickbats from opposition parties and Umno last year for his proposal regarding New Villages, which were initially established to curb the communist insurgency. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The nomination of Emergency-era New Villages as a Unesco world heritage site was submitted by the Malaysian chapter of an international NGO, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Nga said the nomination was filed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) Malaysia, adding that this was a professional organisation that seeks to preserve heritage sites in the country.
He added that his ministry did not receive any application proposing a collaboration on the matter.
“However, the ministry fully supports the sincere efforts of professional bodies in nominating any village (or location) that fulfills the criteria of a Unesco world heritage site.
“This would also increase the attraction of a certain location, which could spur tourism activity and improve the nation’s image,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Nga was replying to Fawwaz Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) who asked if the ministry had dropped the proposal to nominate New Villages as Unesco heritage sites, and ceased collaborations with other parties on the matter.
Last year, Nga drew brickbats from opposition parties and Umno for his proposal regarding New Villages, which were initially established to curb the communist insurgency.
Umno had argued that it would impact the position, constitutional status and rights of the Malays.
However, Nga said the ministry would also support a similar Unesco nomination for a traditional Malay village. - FMT

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