UNESCO's Recognition > Communication & Information > The Memory Of The World - International Register
The Memory Of The World - International Register
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme, initiated by UNESCO in 1992, aims to preserve and provide universal access to the world’s documentary heritage — records, manuscripts, films, photographs, and oral traditions — that have global significance. Malaysia proudly contributes to this effort with several national treasures inscribed in the Memory of the World International Register. These invaluable documents capture Malaysia’s rich history, cultural diversity, and contributions to global heritage.
Sejarah Melayu - The Malay Annals (2001)
The Sejarah Melayu, or Malay Annals, uniquely serve as the sole historical record of the Melaka Sultanate during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Hikayat Hang Tuah (2001)
Hikayat Hang Tuah is regarded as a national Malay literary classic and a traditional Malay epic, well-known in the Malay Archipelago. Hikayat Hang Tuah embodies the glory of Melaka while showcasing the bravery of its legendary hero, Hang Tuah.
Koleksi Surat-Surat Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah dari Negeri Kedah - Correspondence of the late Sultan of Kedah: 1882 - 1943 (2001)
These records uniquely serve as evidence of the Malay Sultanate before Western colonialism, depicting the challenges of a state in transition amid shifting global powers.
Batu Bersurat Terengganu - Inscribed Stone of Terengganu (2009)
The Batu Bersurat Terengganu or Inscribed Stone of Terengganu constitutes the earliest evidence of Jawi writing (writing based on Arabic alphabets) in the Malay-Muslim world of Southeast Asia.
Manuskrip Cerita Panji - Panji Tales Manuscripts (2017)
The Panji tales, originating in the 13th century, narrate the adventurous journeys of Prince Panji in his quest to reunite with Princess Candra Kirana. Gaining widespread popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, these stories transcended Java, becoming a cherished literary and cultural legacy across Southeast Asia.
Misa Melayu MSS 6 (2023)
Misa Melayu MSS 6 is a historic manuscript blending prose and poetry to document the 18th-century history of the Perak Sultanate. Based on Raja Chulan’s eyewitness accounts, it captures genealogies, royal ceremonies, succession traditions, Malay customs, and Perak’s diplomatic and trade relations with the Dutch.
Karya-karya Hamzah Fansuri - Works of Hamzah Fansuri (2025)
In the 16th century, Hamzah Fansuri was a key figure in the development of Malay culture and intellectual life, sparking what would become the Malay spiritual renaissance. He was the first to introduce the kitab genre—structured and systematic scholarly writing in Malay—and laid the groundwork for academic discourse in the language through both prose and poetry.
Kelahiran Persatuan Negara-Negara Asia Tenggara (ASEAN) - The Birth of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) (2025)
The archives chronicle the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by its five founding members: Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The collection includes the 1967 ASEAN Declaration and a range of related materials—16 textual documents, one photograph, one film, three audio recordings and 12 oral history interviews.
