Latest Event Updates
BWM Christmas Fair 2023
BWM Christmas Fair is back this year with more vendors and variety of Christmas gifts to choose from local artisans, handmade crafts, fashion & accessories, Christmas food & decor, baked goods, preloved items and more!
Save the Date & Join Us:
Date: Saturday, 2 December 2023
Time: 10am – 5pm
Venue: BWM Heritage Centre, No. 2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur
Admission: Minimum donation of RM10 per person . #ShopForAGoodCause
Join us and find the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones or a year end treat for yourself!
#SustainableGifts #PreLoved #Artisan #ChristmasGifts #ChristmasFairKL2023
BWM Talk Series: The Evolution of The Great Hill: An Illustrated Talk by Enzo Sim
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Badan Warisan Malaysia is pleased to organise a Meet the Author Session with a Talk on “The Evolution of The Great Hill: An Illustrated Talk” by Enzo Sim on Saturday, 18 November 2023 at our Badan Warisan Heritage Centre.
Enzo will share about his book, “The Great Hill: A Short History of Penang Hill”, his findings from different archives, historic oil paintings and photographs. Join this free talk and learn more about the fascinating facts and history of Penang Hill.
Date: Saturday, 18 November 2023
Venue: BWM Heritage Centre, No. 2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Fee: RM50 per person (non-members), Free for BWM members
Light refreshments will be served.
Program
10.30am : Registration
11.00am : Introduction
11.10am : Talk by Enzo Sim
11.40pm : Q & A session
12.00pm : Book reading & book signing
12.30pm : End of program
Click HERE to register!
Synopsis
“The Great Hill: A Short History of Penang Hill” depicts the story of what is now known as Penang Hill, the first hill station to be established in the former British colonial empire. Based on archives, historic oil paintings and photographs, the book brings the history of the Hill to life by transcending a historical timeline that is more than 200 years in the making. As an iconic hill station in the Far East, the Hill’s rich history is reinterpreted by the author who focuses on the evolution of the Hill and the various significant roles that the Hill plays from its earliest days up to the 21st Century. Highlights of the book include the occurrences around the Hill during World War II and the Malayan Emergency era as retold by eyewitnesses and recorded in historical archives.
About the Author and Speaker
Enzo Sim is a history and international politics researcher who has a lifelong profound interest in the field of Southeast Asian history. As the former Staff Writer at the Penang Institute, he was known for his various articles in Penang Monthly that published his findings on key historical events that occurred in Penang and Malaya as well as the historical background of forgotten historical sites in Malaysia. Due to his passion in documenting the history of Penang Hill, he had also singlehandedly drafted the historical contents of the funicular railway gallery at the Penang Hill Gallery following his appointment by the Penang Hill Corporation as a member of the Penang Hill Gallery consultative panel. After concluding his stint at Penang Institute, he went on to join Joe Sidek Productions where he curated and drafted the contents of the KL Story permanent historical gallery in Central Market KL and BUKU2BOOKS digitised historical archive exhibition in collaboration with the US Library of Congress and the British Library during the KLWKND Festival 2021, as well as being in charge of planning the Jawi Peranakan exhibition during the Peranakan Festival 2021.
Welcome to the official website of Badan Warisan Malaysia!
Welcome to the official website of Badan Warisan Malaysia!
Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) 198301009532 (104789-A) is the leading national heritage NGO established in 1983, as an independent registered charity. BWM works to raise awareness of heritage issues and advocate for a conservation-friendly environment in Malaysia.
In this website, you will see updates on membership, events, news, volunteer opportunities, photos, and the fun and exciting activities we have planned for the months ahead.
More information is available from the menu or navigation bar.
Alternatively, explore by clicking on any of the buttons below or scroll down for the latest post updates on this webpage.
EXPLORE BY CLICKING THE BUTTONS BELOW
BWM Open Day
We are pleased to announce that Badan Warisan Malaysia will be organising another Open Day session for all members and non-members on Saturday, 4 November from 10:30am to 12 Noon.
We welcome everyone for this opportunity to get to know Badan Warisan Malaysia, our work and our goals, while meeting our Council Members, BWM Members and the team! Sign up to be a new member or as a volunteer – we’d love for you to help, such as giving tours at Rumah Penghulu or the library’s digitization project.
More details and program tentative are in the poster. Kindly click HERE to RSVP by 2 November 2023 or email membership@badanwarisan.org.my
Cultural Experience Program at Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
Badan Warisan Malaysia is proud to offer our new Malay cultural experience programs for Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, specially curated for students and adults who would like to experience the nostalgia of Malay Kampung house. We hope that this experience will expose the public to the importance of understanding and appreciating our history and heritage.
Kindly email us at info@badanwarisan.org.my for more information or to book this program.
Exploring Traditional Malay Architecture and Culinary Heritage @ Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
Badan Warisan Malaysia is pleased to organize an exciting event at the Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, supported by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) on 30 September and 1 October 2023.
Join us and learn about Malay vernacular architecture as well as customs and culinary heritage in Malaysia! Gain knowledge on the general idea of heritage building restoration, functions, parts, and elements that make up a Malay house. The tour will not only focus on the technical part but also on the way of life, customs, traditions, as well as the environment of the Malaysian lifestyle.
Get the chance to taste and learn about different types of Malaysian local traditional cuisine.
Free admission! Click HERE to register.
Volunteers are needed during this event, if you are available to help, kindly email info@badanwarisan.org.my. Thank you!
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Thank you to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for supporting our event! Thank you to all who participated along with our volunteers and team for helping to make this great event memorable and fun!
We had a successful event and an engaging crowd who were very interested in learning about Malay architecture, culture and food. We hope to organize similar events in the future to promote awareness that our tangible and intangible heritage can be showcased and celebrated hand in hand.
Click the link below to watch the event video.
MEDIA STATEMENT: GUNUNG KANTHAN
MEDIA STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 September 2023
Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) would like to express our deep concern on the Court of Appeal’s decision involving the forced eviction of the occupants of Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery at Gunung Kanthan, north of Ipoh in Perak.
This limestone outcrop is on the verge of irreversibly losing its priceless geological, biological, cultural, tourist and recreational values to quarrying for limestone to use in the production of cement by the current owner of the land (Associated Pan Malayan Cement, a subsidiary of YTL) on which Gunung Kanthan is situated. Together with the other limestone outcrops, it forms the distinctive karst landscape surrounding Ipoh.
Gunung Kanthan was identified as one of the four most important karst hills in the Ipoh Local Draft Plan 1997-2020 by Ipoh City Council, and the Malaysian Nature Society Year-long Multi-disciplinary Survey of Kinta Valley Limestone (1991). This natural geological heritage must be protected and preserved for many generations to come because:-
- Biodiversity Conservation : Pristine ecosystems are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species such as population of the serow or kambing gurun as well as other huge trees, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Balanced Ecosystem : This heritage geopark plays a role in mitigating climate change and maintaining ecosystem stability which are vital for the survival of all beings.
- Cultural and Historical Significance : It holds cultural and historical importance, offering insights to the evolution and development in both biodiversity and socio economy.
- Tourism and Recreation : Natural heritage sites attract tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, contributing significantly to local economies. It offers beauty and serenity that can have profound effects on mental and emotional well-being.
There were findings in 2014 by the Mineral & Geology Department that showed idle ex-mining land has 6.3 times more limestone subsurface than above ground, this alternative can avoid the exploitation of surface limestone from the limestone hills and the irretrievable irreversible damage to the million years of creation.To date, there have been 3 quarries that are using the subsurface mining method and its feasibility has been proven at the 29th International Congress for Conservation Biology in Kuala Lumpur in 2019 through a study by Petronas University of Technology (commissioned by Lafarge Malaysia). With these crucial findings, BWM believes that it is unfair to sacrifice the natural beauty of these weathered karst formations to the quarry industry.
The Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery was established over 100 years ago when the founder discovered this wonderful cave, amidst the ancient limestone hills around Ipoh, which goes back millions of years to its formation, to be most conducive for meditation, spiritual cultivation and enlightenment. All these events of the founding of the monastery happened long before the Federation of Malaya became an independent nation in 1957, followed by the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
It is a harsh and cruel reality when these monastic inhabitants of this ancient cave woke up one day and found themselves to be deemed squatters in their own space, because of a much later Malaysian land code of laws imposed upon them, callously disenfranchising them from their own architectural and natural heritage as law-abiding citizens of Malaysia.
BWM calls for all the relevant authorities and agencies to save and protect our natural heritage. The use of sub-surface mining method must be enforced in certain circumstances and these necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the priceless heritage of the Sakyamuni Cave Temple and Monastery as well as Gunung Kanthan with its unique endemic flora and flora is preserved for future generations to appreciate. The eviction of Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery will pave the way for further destruction of it with its surroundings at Gunung Kanthan. Once destroyed, they will be lost forever.
A recent petition addressed to His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah (Ruler of the state of Perak), and the Chief Minister of Perak was launched by the Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery Gunung Kanthan to oppose the project, and has garnered over 28,500 signatures thus far: https://tinyurl.com/ycxree34. More information of the situation is available in the petition’s details.
Lim Wei-Ling, President, Badan Warisan Malaysia & 2023 Council of Badan Warisan Malaysia
Shibori Indigo Dye Workshop – Christmas Napkins
The Japanese word ‘sekka’ is translated as snowflake. Learn the art of Sekka Shibori in this workshop to create captivating snowflake patterns napkins/handkerchiefs with an overview introduction of the indigo plant and how the plant dye was made.
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to dye six napkins using the Shibori techniques mentioned. The workshop teacher Yann and her assistant will provide close guidance throughout the process, making it suitable for first-timers. All tools and materials are provided.
Limited slots available for the workshop. First come, first served basis. Click HERE to register!
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BWM Members’ Trip to Genting Tea Estate 2023
Join us for a trip to our Life Member, Dato’ Henry Barlow’s Genting Tea Estate, to visit his private residence and tour a nature reserve!
New members are encouraged to sign up and let us get to know you better. We also look forward to meeting old friends and those who have not yet been able to join us on previous GTE events.
More details in the poster. Limited places available (30 pax)!
Click HERE to register.
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BWM Open Day
We are pleased to announce that Badan Warisan Malaysia will be organising another Open Day session for all members and non-members on Saturday, 9 September from 10:30am to 12 Noon.
We welcome everyone for this opportunity to get to know Badan Warisan Malaysia, our work and our goals, while meeting our Council Members, BWM Members and the team! Sign up to be a new member or as a volunteer – we’d love for you to help, such as giving tours at Rumah Penghulu or the library digitization project.
More details and program tentative are in the poster.
Kindly click HERE to RSVP by 7 September 2023.
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