KUANTAN: Malaysia has begun preparations to send cultural attachés to serve at selected embassies and consulates next year in a move to help promote the country's culture.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said these cultural diplomats will be tasked with playing a leading role in continuously providing exposure on Malaysian arts, music and culture across the globe.
"When preparing the budget for next year, the Foreign Ministry will propose the appointments of cultural attachés and we hope to at least send a few next year....the pilot project to deploy them will begin in a few selected countries before expanding further.
"The cultural attachés will not be appointed by Wisma Putra but instead, by agencies related to their roles to promote cultural diplomacy. Informal meetings have been held with the four relevant ministries namely the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), Education, Higher Education and Communications and Multimedia ministries," he told reporters after visiting the Pahang Motac officer here today.
Saifuddin said although the Motac officers were stationed abroad, appointing a full-time cultural attaché will ensure continuity and consistency in efforts to promote a wide range of Malaysian arts, music and culture including books and literature.
"The cultural attachés will have the special responsibility of promoting the culture of his or her homeland. Regardless if there is a cultural festival or fair, they will remain stationed abroad and will be able to plan various promotional activities," he said.
Saiffuddin said the attachés' responsibility will include, among others, promoting Bahasa Melayu, continuously engaging Malaysian book publishers and promoting Malaysian craft, culture and other sectors to a wider audience.
"For example, Bahasa Indonesia classes are held in more than 20 countries abroad while the British Council has stamped their mark around the world by teaching English. Many Malaysian publishers attend the Frankfurt Book Fair (in Germany) every year but they stay on about a week or two before returning.
"Once we have a cultural attaché, their roles will be to promote various top Malaysian products or maybe help create platforms for our culture, documentaries, art, movies and many others to be widely recognised," he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said since Malaysia has produced several award-winning short films over the years, a documentary and short film festival will be held at selected embassies in the middle of this year as part of initiatives to help introduce Malaysian culture.
On a separate matter, Saifuddin, who is also the Indera Mahkota member of parliament, said he has discussed with Motac Pahang to identify suitable short-term measures to help the tourism industry players in Cherating get back on their feet.
"Cherating was once a popular beach but saw a drop in visitors. The Covid-19 pandemic had badly affected the various attractions including homestay operators, turtle sanctuary, surfing and firefly tours. When I met the buskers in Cherating, they informed me that some had to sell their music instruments as they had no money and these days, they could no longer perform.
"I have told Motac to identify suitable measures or promotional activities so that Cherating will regain its popularity and the tourism industry players can return to their normal lives. The efforts will not involve any major constructions or change of policies but mainly focus on helping to revive the tourism industry at the popular destination," he said.