Our Story not 'His' Story - Past, Present and Future

"to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius ";
"to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared";
"to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history";
Selection criteria I, III and IV of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Istana Lama Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, not a UNESCO World Heritage List but our country's heritage. Steps must be taken to ensure that this and other buildings wil survive and maintain properly.

When I travel, the most fascinating about the country - is their heritage and history. Guess you guys still remember during our World Civilization History in Form 4, High School - where we've been introduced with histories around the world that shaped into our 'story' right now. Given a chance to explore and enjoy it by yourself make you feel appreciate on what our ancestors have achieved and what should we do to improve it and make it better if not the best.

I know that History subject is the most 'boring' subject that been thought in our education system. It's not because of the lesson, but perhaps the way it been thought. I remember during my time, my school teacher just open the text book and read it - paragraph by paragraph till end of the book infront of us. Nothing inspire us even though the topic about Prophet Muhammad and Islamic Civilization. Hmm, I remember that a lot of us fell asleep - "it's a bedtime story what!"

Giza Pyramid Complex; UNESCO World Heritage List Criteria I, III and VI

OK; countries that I've been - Egypt, the Philippines, Cambodia and Thailand have histories that influence our life nowadays. The things that impressed me on how the preserved their heritage. They maintain their buildings, educate both locals and foreign tourist and make a lot of effort so that their future / children knows about their past.

I remember one of my discussion with Dara in Siem Reap about Angkor on how the people refuse to remember about Angkor as it reminds them about the horrific past, wars, endless suffering etc. The Cambodians need to pay on high price to regain back their past from the French that 'loot' it and brought it back to Europe and claimed as their history. It's sad to see that the outsiders know better about your 'home' compared to you.

From left : Angkor - UNESCO World Heritage Site Criteria I, II, III and IV; Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn, Bangkok - famous landmark that preserve well but not in the list.

And its even worst when didn't take step to learn about your past and let it destroy by time. From the past that actually we can learn about the glory and mistakes by our ancestors, thus we will help to build a better future.

I do hope that people, the government and others will hell hand-by-hand to preserve our heritage; educate our children so that we shouldn't forget about it and learn from it.

From left, up-to-down : Kellie's Castle with Samawi; St. Michael's Institution - Ipoh; Indian-Muslim Community Mosque - Ipoh; hallway of Kellie's Castle. These buildings eventhough its not grande monuments but still our heritage, thus we should preserve it for the next generation.