24/06/2025

TUESDAY | JUNE 24, 2025

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Deterring ‘inappropriate’ artefact display applications

Perak records highest domestic tourist arrivals last year IPOH: Perak attracted the highest number of domestic tourists in the country last year, recording 10.2 million visitors, surpassing all other states. State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the figure was based on the Domestic Tourism Survey 2024 published by the Statistics Department on June 19. He said the number marked a 36.1% increase from the 7.5 million visitors recorded in 2023. “Perak registered the highest domestic tourist arrivals at 10.2 million, followed by Selangor with 9.6 million and Pahang with 9.5 million. “Congratulations to government agencies, local authorities, district offices, NGOs, traders and the public for their efforts in making Perak a leading tourism destination,” he said. According to the report, popular destinations in Perak included Teluk Batik, Lumut Waterfront, Ipoh Night Market, Gunung Lang Recreational Park and Pangkor Island. The districts with the highest tourist presence were Kinta, Larut and Matang, Manjung, Kuala Kangsar and Batang Padang. Loh said the increase was also attributed to the success of last year’s Visit Perak Year campaign, which saw strong collaboration between the state and federal governments. – Bernama Johor eases Islamic school uniform code BATU PAHAT: In view of the current hot weather, the Johor government has eased the dress code for students at Islamic religious schools to ensure their comfort throughout learning sessions. Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said there were no issues regarding the implementation as the state government had authorised the District Islamic Education Office to determine the appropriate attire. “In Johor, students are required to wear baju Melayu , so having looser clothing makes it more practical,” he said after closing the Johor state Level Mahabbah Komuniti Madani Carnival at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia on Sunday. On the programme, Mohd Fared said it was a strategic collaboration among various parties aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly the youth, to provide a clearer understanding of increasingly complex social and religious issues. – Bernama “To solve food security challenges, we must embrace technology and innovation,” Isham said. “We need young talents from universities, not just to become farmers, but to work as service providers, researchers and innovators who can bring value-added solutions to our communities.” He also stressed the importance of research and development, urging greater investment in veterinary science to enhance livestock production and improve disease diagnostics. “Malaysia must ensure our veterinary research is on par with international standards.” Meanwhile, Malaysia’s pet care industry continues to flourish and plays a growing role in the national economy. Isham added that the sector has become a key economic driver, generating jobs and business opportunities through veterinary clinics and related services. “In some households, pet medical bills are now higher than those for humans,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: The Museums Malaysia Department has received a wave of applications to establish private museums – some of which raise red flags over content that conflicts with societal norms and national values. Several applicants, the department noted, have controversial backgrounds and are embroiled in ongoing court cases. “The department supports and welcomes initiatives that contribute to public education on Malaysia’s history, culture and heritage,” it said in a statement to theSun . “However, the intent and content of any museum proposal must align with national aspirations.” The department disclosed that in some cases, proposed exhibitions featured artefacts or ideologies considered at odds with local sensitivities. Examples include the Propaganda Comic Exhibition in one of the northern states, which featured communist and socialist themes, and the Exhibition of Prophet Muhammad’s and Companions’ Artefacts held in one of the east coast states from October to November 2020. “Most of the items claimed to have belonged to Prophet Muhammad and his companions could not be authenticated. “Museums should not display such items as they risk misleading the public and eroding trust in the institution.” Such concerns have prompted the drafting of the Malaysian Museum Bill. o Proposed Museum Act aims to uphold professional, ethical standards while preventing exhibitions that could compromise social harmony or disseminate false information, says dept Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is grappling with a serious shortage of veterinarians, with only 2,553 registered practitioners nationwide, far short of what is needed to support the country’s expanding veterinary, livestock and pet care sectors. Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said the latest figures from the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC) show that 2,455 veterinarians are registered under Part 1, while just 98 fall under Part 2 of the registry. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1974, the MVC classifies veterinarians into two categories. Part 1 comprises fully qualified practitioners whose degrees are recognised by the council, while Part 2 includes individuals who have yet to qualify for full registration – typically foreign graduates whose credentials are not recognised in Malaysia or those still undergoing assessment. Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The department said galleries must also be required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

“This number is simply not enough to meet the increasing demand,” she said. “The rapid growth of the livestock industry, the surge in pet clinics, the rise in veterinary research and the expansion of veterinary academic programmes clearly show the urgent need for more qualified professionals in the field,“ she said during the World Veterinary Day 2025 celebration at the Multipurpose Hall, Wisma Tani, Putrajaya. The event, officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, not only honoured the contributions of veterinarians but also underscored the pressing challenges facing the profession. “Veterinarians are more than just animal doctors – they are guardians of public health and food security,” Isham said. “From farm to table, they ensure our food is safe, clean and of high quality.” He emphasised the need to strengthen Malaysia’s veterinary and agro-food systems to “The proposed Museum Act is designed to ensure all museums in the country adhere to the International Council of Museums (Icom) Code of Ethics and the Unesco 2015 Recommendation on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections. “It aims to uphold professional and ethical standards while preventing exhibitions that may compromise social harmony, conflict with national values or disseminate false information.” The department said applications have also been rejected on grounds of religious or racial sensitivities, failure to meet museum standards or lack of professional oversight. “Content likely to offend religious or ethnic communities will not be approved. “Other disqualifying factors include unverifiable collections, absence of qualified curators or vague educational objectives.” On the Bugis Museum in Pontian, Johor, which falls under the Pontian Municipal

enhance national food self-sufficiency. “However, the limited supply of new veterinary professionals remains a significant bottleneck. “Only two public universities – Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan – offer veterinary programmes. Combined, they produce 200 to 300 graduates each year,“ Isham added. When asked why only two universities offer veterinary programmes, Isham said the field demands significant investment in specialised infrastructure, including veterinary hospitals, and must meet rigorous professional standards, making it both costly and resource-heavy. This limited training pipeline has led to a brain drain, with many graduates opting for higher-paying jobs in the private sector instead of joining government service. As a result, the public sector continues to face a shortage of veterinarians, affecting the nation’s ability to manage disease control, food safety and animal welfare effectively. Council, the department said it failed to meet the criteria for official museum recognition. Located at the Sungai Rambah Recreational Park, the institution houses 2,616 artefacts, including over 300 authentic, centuries-old items related to the Bugis community. However, following royal advice, it was reclassified as a gallery. The department added that galleries must also meet regulatory standards. “They are required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law, and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. “All artefacts must be legally sourced and must not contravene civil or criminal law. Exhibits must not incite hatred, promote obscenity or encourage cult practices. They are subject to enforcement if found to undermine public order or contradict national values.”

‘Malaysia grapples with serious shortage of veterinarians’