By Rokiah Mahmud
Brunei Darussalam signed two conventions in November 2011 as part of its initiative to secure the UNESCO World Heritage status for its cultural treasures.
The signing of the 1972 World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention and the 2003 Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention has taken Brunei a step further in contributing its role to the international body. Additionally, it demonstrates the Sultanate's commitment to protect its cultural heritage and natural environment, which aim to serve as reference and historical sites not only to Bruneians, but people the world over.
The membership allows Brunei to nominate its national icons, culture and customs, ancient monuments, traditional dances and language to be recognised for world heritage status.
As part of the initiative to achieve this recognition, a national committee has been set up at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, which is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman.
Speaking to the Weekend Bulletin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awg Hj Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos said although we have the opportunity to nominate our national icons (such as Kampong Ayer, the Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Bumbungan Duabelas and Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park), the process to earn the status is not easy.
"It is not a straight-forward process. There are several procedures and steps that we need to follow before submitting the application to UNESCO. We must also fulfil the requirements set by UNESCO, which is dependant on, for example, how old the building is and how we preserve the authentic values of these buildings or monuments that we consider a national heritage.
"Once the process is done and it is submitted to UNESCO, a committee will be assigned by UNESCO to conduct an analysis, examine and identify whether the nominated site can be recognised as world heritage," he explained.
"From what we understand, based on the experience of our neighbouring countries, the process may take several years - even up to six or seven years. Therefore, from this experience, we understand the process takes quite a long time, it is not just a matter of submitting an application and obtaining the status overnight," he explained.
"Therefore, what we have done as part of our initiatives and efforts is, we have hired a consultant to help us further understand the procedure."
This includes a workshop dubbed 'World Heritage Nomination Procedure' that involves a series of lectures and visits to potential heritage sites in the country. Reports will be produced as part of the workshop's input to be used as a framework. Among the contents of the workshop include, definition of world heritage, the setting up of national committee, criteria for the assessment of outstanding universal values, protection and management, process for inscription of properties in the world heritage list, and the process for monitoring the state of conservation of the world heritage properties.
The workshop, Awg Hj Mohd Rozan said, is especially to facilitate the committee in further understanding the process before submitting the nomination. Hopefully, the chances of this listed sites being accepted by UNESCO are high.
"Take Indonesia for example. Despite having quite a number of Borobudur, only five sites have been recognised by UNESCO. It showed that the process is not easy and requires a step-by-step procedure.
Drs H Suyud Winarno, the Assistant Deputy of Culture, Coordinating Ministry of People's Welfare Republic of Indonesia, has been involved in the nomination of several world heritage sites in Indonesia.
"With joint cooperation in this national committee (with the Museums Department as its secretariat), we are working together to look after the sites of our heritage property.
"In Brunei, the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act solely protects the country's heritage. We have also gazzetted a few areas, such as the Customs Warehouse Building, that need to be protected from being diminished," he said.
He went on to say, the structure of Kampong Ayer has experienced modernisation. In the early days, most of the houses were built using wood, but today many of the houses are made of concrete. Some are even two-storey homes.
"However, despite modernisation of Kampong Ayer, we shall look at the way the people live. They still practise their traditional customs and culture. This is what we want to highlight, the way our people live.
"As for Bumbungan Duabelas, the building has been serving since 1906. It has been there for over 100 years, but then again, it all depends on UNESCO's requirements as to whether the age of the building can qualify for recognition. Of course, the older a building, the higher the chances.
"Whether the nomination is accepted or not, by merely being a member of the convention, we are also entitled to seek assistance from UNESCO in preserving and conserving the nominated sites. Once this building earns the recognition, several commitments must be made by the government to ensure the site remains pristine and untouched.
"Preservation of this cultural and natural heritage is crucial as it will be passed down from generation to generation.
"It is important for us to understand our own history. We must protect and preserve as a nation without identity is like an empty soul," he concluded.
Brunei Darussalam signed two conventions in November 2011 as part of its initiative to secure the UNESCO World Heritage status for its cultural treasures.
The signing of the 1972 World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention and the 2003 Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention has taken Brunei a step further in contributing its role to the international body. Additionally, it demonstrates the Sultanate's commitment to protect its cultural heritage and natural environment, which aim to serve as reference and historical sites not only to Bruneians, but people the world over.
The membership allows Brunei to nominate its national icons, culture and customs, ancient monuments, traditional dances and language to be recognised for world heritage status.
As part of the initiative to achieve this recognition, a national committee has been set up at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, which is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman.
Speaking to the Weekend Bulletin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awg Hj Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos said although we have the opportunity to nominate our national icons (such as Kampong Ayer, the Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Bumbungan Duabelas and Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park), the process to earn the status is not easy.
"It is not a straight-forward process. There are several procedures and steps that we need to follow before submitting the application to UNESCO. We must also fulfil the requirements set by UNESCO, which is dependant on, for example, how old the building is and how we preserve the authentic values of these buildings or monuments that we consider a national heritage.
"Once the process is done and it is submitted to UNESCO, a committee will be assigned by UNESCO to conduct an analysis, examine and identify whether the nominated site can be recognised as world heritage," he explained.
"From what we understand, based on the experience of our neighbouring countries, the process may take several years - even up to six or seven years. Therefore, from this experience, we understand the process takes quite a long time, it is not just a matter of submitting an application and obtaining the status overnight," he explained.
"Therefore, what we have done as part of our initiatives and efforts is, we have hired a consultant to help us further understand the procedure."
This includes a workshop dubbed 'World Heritage Nomination Procedure' that involves a series of lectures and visits to potential heritage sites in the country. Reports will be produced as part of the workshop's input to be used as a framework. Among the contents of the workshop include, definition of world heritage, the setting up of national committee, criteria for the assessment of outstanding universal values, protection and management, process for inscription of properties in the world heritage list, and the process for monitoring the state of conservation of the world heritage properties.
The workshop, Awg Hj Mohd Rozan said, is especially to facilitate the committee in further understanding the process before submitting the nomination. Hopefully, the chances of this listed sites being accepted by UNESCO are high.
"Take Indonesia for example. Despite having quite a number of Borobudur, only five sites have been recognised by UNESCO. It showed that the process is not easy and requires a step-by-step procedure.
Drs H Suyud Winarno, the Assistant Deputy of Culture, Coordinating Ministry of People's Welfare Republic of Indonesia, has been involved in the nomination of several world heritage sites in Indonesia.
"With joint cooperation in this national committee (with the Museums Department as its secretariat), we are working together to look after the sites of our heritage property.
"In Brunei, the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act solely protects the country's heritage. We have also gazzetted a few areas, such as the Customs Warehouse Building, that need to be protected from being diminished," he said.
He went on to say, the structure of Kampong Ayer has experienced modernisation. In the early days, most of the houses were built using wood, but today many of the houses are made of concrete. Some are even two-storey homes.
"However, despite modernisation of Kampong Ayer, we shall look at the way the people live. They still practise their traditional customs and culture. This is what we want to highlight, the way our people live.
"As for Bumbungan Duabelas, the building has been serving since 1906. It has been there for over 100 years, but then again, it all depends on UNESCO's requirements as to whether the age of the building can qualify for recognition. Of course, the older a building, the higher the chances.
"Whether the nomination is accepted or not, by merely being a member of the convention, we are also entitled to seek assistance from UNESCO in preserving and conserving the nominated sites. Once this building earns the recognition, several commitments must be made by the government to ensure the site remains pristine and untouched.
"Preservation of this cultural and natural heritage is crucial as it will be passed down from generation to generation.
"It is important for us to understand our own history. We must protect and preserve as a nation without identity is like an empty soul," he concluded.
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment