By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has stressed that culture is not merely entertainment or heritage, but the foundation of national identity encompassing language, food, arts and values passed down through generations.
“In this era of globalisation and rapid technological advancement, culture should not be viewed merely as nostalgia, but must be preserved as an identity that strengthens a nation,” he said when officiating the Malaysia Culture Festival @ Perak 2026 at Dataran Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah here last night.
He said culture has increasingly proven to be an important economic asset capable of generating income through the tourism and creative economy sectors.
Perak serves as a clear example, where heritage-rich destinations such as Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, the Lenggong Valley and Pangkor Island not only preserve history but also stimulate the local economy through tourist arrivals, business opportunities and income spillover to small and medium entrepreneurs.
As such, he said cultural festivals should not be seen merely as annual events but rather as platforms to strengthen the creative industry, create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and attract younger generations to appreciate national heritage.
In the context of Visit Malaysia 2026, he said the country’s true strength lies not only in physical development, but in its cultural uniqueness and the harmony of its multi-ethnic society, which defines Malaysia on the world stage.
He added that the responsibility of preserving culture must be shared by all parties, including the government, educational institutions, families and the media.
Only through continuous effort can this heritage be sustained as a national identity while simultaneously serving as a catalyst for more sustainable economic development.
