The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the National Heritage Department (JWN) has taken note of a video released by an irresponsible party regarding a letter from MOTAC regarding an application for permission from the State Authority (PBN) to designate heritage sites in the state of Sabah as Heritage Sites under the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645].
MOTAC would like to emphasize that the information stated is completely inaccurate which refers to “surrender”. Based on the provisions under Act 645, there is NO term “surrender” which gives connotation to the surrender of a state site to the Federal Government. Gazettement is a form of recognition and protection of a site/building under a national legal instrument without taking ownership of the owner/owner. This is in line with section 69, Act 645 which provides that “Any National Heritage owned or possessed by any person other than the Federal Government or a State Government may continue to be in the possession of its owner, custodian or trustee”.
For your information, the Sabah State Secretary’s Office in January 2019 also withdrew the PBN’s permission letter to designate heritage sites in the state of Sabah as Heritage sites under the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645] and MOTAC through JWN also did not proceed with the gazetting of these heritage sites.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE (MOTAC)
27 November 2025
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CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE (MOTAC)
Tel: 03-8000 8000 Fax: 03-88917181
Website: www.motac.gov.my Email: group.ukk@motac.gov.my
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