Teams from the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) have undertaken recent missions to the Netherlands and Russia to identify, document, and seek digital access to centuries-old Malay manuscripts housed abroad, aiming to preserve and make accessible a dispersed cultural heritage without physically repatriating the original materials.

In late May, one team visited several key institutions in the Netherlands, including the National Library in The Hague, the National Archives, and Leiden University Libraries. There, they examined a range of historical documents, including Malay manuscripts and rare books, as well as colonial-era records related to regions such as Melaka, Batavia, Aceh, Johor, and Riau. At Leiden, which holds one of the world’s most significant Nusantara collections, researchers faced restrictions allowing only two manuscripts to be requested at a time but utilized self-service scanning and photography to document materials. Over three days, the team managed to record information on 50 manuscripts, including notable works such as Sejarah Melayu, Tuhfat al-Nafis, Hikayat Aceh, and Syair Abdul Kadir.

Officials noted that while PNM had conducted a similar documentation effort in 1985, many manuscripts remain inadequately studied. Following this latest mission, 30 manuscripts have been prioritized for digital acquisition, and plans are underway to create an online catalogue to increase public and academic access. “Although they are far from home, these manuscripts remain part of our nation’s identity and intellectual history,” said Dr. Nor Hasni Che Hassan, senior assistant director at PNM’s National Centre for Malay Manuscripts. She emphasized that the initiative aims not only to trace and document texts but also to ensure future generations can access ancestral knowledge.

Shortly after the Netherlands mission, another PNM delegation traveled to St Petersburg, Russia, from June 7 to 13 to engage with the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences. There, they examined 18 manuscripts, identifying 14 as key targets for digital reproduction. Among the discoveries were two 18th-century volumes of Sulalatus Salatin and a copy of Hikayat Raja Budak. One manuscript, Syair Tembesia Betawi, stood out due to its unusual format—a poetic account of an 18th-century crime story.

The selected manuscripts total approximately 3,000 pages. PNM estimates the cost for full digital acquisition at around RM318,000 (about RM106 per page) and has applied for funding from Malaysia’s National Unity Ministry. However, the approval of digital copies depends on the Russian institution’s internal committees and procedures. “We have explained that the copies will be used for education, historical research, and preservation for future generations,” said senior deputy director Fatimah Abdul Hai of PNM, though she acknowledged that the final decision resides with the Russian authorities.

These parallel missions underscore Malaysia’s commitment to preserving its dispersed cultural heritage by leveraging digital technology to bring historical narratives within reach, highlighting a modern approach to safeguarding national identity beyond physical repatriation.