Kuala lumpur: The Community Archives Initiative has helped raise awareness among Malaysians that the preservation of historical records is a shared responsibility, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. Describing the initiative as a best practice, he said it facilitates the documentation of many valuable historical records still found in the community, including family albums, village collections, local associations, houses of worship, schools, and personal collections.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aaron Ago Dagang highlighted that the programme has been well-received over the years, with more than 300,000 materials contributed by the community for documentation in the past two to three years. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after officiating the 30th Southeast Asia and Pacific AudioVisual Archives Association (SEAPAVAA) Conference. The event was also attended by National Archives of Malaysia director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor and SEAPAVAA president Karen Chan.
During his welcoming speech at the conference, Aaron emphasized the critical role of national institutions in preserving documentary heritage. He stressed that the responsibility cannot rest solely with governments and archival professionals, as the future of archival preservation increasingly depends on active community participation. He encouraged communities across Southeast Asia and the Pacific to engage in documenting and preserving their local histories, traditions, and collective memories. Aaron noted that when preservation becomes a shared responsibility, archives become richer, more inclusive, and representative of the diverse societies they serve.
Aaron also remarked on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in archival workflows, noting its ability to automatically identify faces, objects, locations, and historical events within large collections. He explained that machine learning tools can assist archivists in cataloguing vast quantities of digital content, which would otherwise require years of manual processing. Additionally, advanced restoration technologies are revitalizing damaged materials, with AI-assisted restoration removing scratches from film, improving audio clarity, reconstructing deteriorated footage, and enhancing historical recordings while maintaining authenticity.
The conference, themed 'Redefining Audiovisual in Archives: Relevancy, Technology and Unity,' reaffirms Malaysia's commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and embracing technological innovation in preserving the region's audiovisual heritage for future generations. This year's edition brings together audiovisual archivists, heritage professionals, academics, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss emerging challenges, technological advancements, and collaborative approaches to preserving audiovisual heritage in the digital era.