via Bernama/Malay Mail, 29 July 2023: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is preparing to nominate the traditional garment, the Kebaya, to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2023, in a joint effort with Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is preparing the necessary documentation for the multi-national nomination of the Kebaya to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2023.
Motac deputy secretary-general (Tourism) Datuk Mohd Zamri Mat Zain said the joint nomination with Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand is aimed at preserving the traditional garment as an important symbol of the culture and identity of women, particularly the Malays, Peranakan and other communities in Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries.