THE Malay Civilisation Board fully supports the creation of a “Dunia Melayu (Malay World)” area in the federal capital as proposed by Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim.

Its chairman Ghazali Mohd Yusof said the designated area will attract foreign visitors coming to Malaysia for business or official government affairs, thus allowing them to get to know the country “more easily, quickly and meaningfully”.

“Tan Sri Dr Rais’s description of the Dunia Melayu area refers to an area that displays cultural arts, music, carpentry, cuisine as well as life with high cultural value.

“It (the proposal) is appropriate as the Malay community has a high civilisation and culture, which is often not recognised, even by some Malays,” he said in a statement today.

On Friday, Rais suggested that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) designate a Dunia Melayu area, which contains elements reflecting the richness of Malay culture. 

Ghazali said he hopes the area can be alive with the spirit of Malay civilisation, and further stimulate the knowledge of Malay culture in the country. 

“Supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, by affecting human development in terms of material items, happiness, escaping poverty and promoting gender equality, DBKL also needs to ensure the preservation and sustainability of the native culture as part of the (goal of) wealth of humanity,” he added. – Bernama, February 5, 2023.