A total of 149 works by the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee are part of the 255 cultural items now considered National Heritage.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said that the recognition had been given by various parties including state governments, government agencies and related organisations.

“Apart from songs written and sung by the legendary artiste, two trophies which he was awarded at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival (Best Comedy award for Madu Tiga in 1964; and Multi-talented Artiste award in 1965) have also been declared as National Heritage items,” he said in a news report yesterday.

Mohamaddin said this at a press conference held in conjunction with the first year anniversary of the Pakatan Harapan government at his office here yesterday.

He said that it was important to gazette these items as national heritage as they gave positive impact to today’s society.

“It is no doubt that these items could help in generating the country’s economy when promoting heritage tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamaddin will on Friday, be presenting a certificate of recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to Melaka state government for Dondang Sayang (a traditional love ballad in Malay form which originated from the state in the 15th century).

Source: NST