Image courtesy of MTARP
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27: Yayasan SALAM Malaysia (SALAM), an NGO that has championed volunteerism and community development across the nation for the last 30 years, will organise a unity-themed Explorace (Treasure Hunt) and a Forum on Mental Wellbeing & Cultural Intelligence here on Sunday, Feb 8.
The events will be held in collaboration with Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (MTARP), an entity under the National Archives (Arkib Negara) and the Ministry of National Unity.
Encik Zaidin Mohd Noor, the Director-General of the National Archives, said efforts to bring national memorials closer to the people would continue to be strengthened to enhance the role of people-oriented memorials and ensure that the country’s national statesmen would always be remembered.
To date, 11 memorials and galleries have been developed, including the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial (MTARP) along Jalan Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur.
In lauding the collaboration with Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, Zaidin hoped that such strategic collaborative initiatives with non-governmental organisations and the private sector would further enhance public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the country’s national figures, history and heritage assets among Malaysia’s multiracial society.
Yayasan SALAM’s Trustee Datuk Yong Soo Heong said the Explorace, starting from 7.00 am onwards, is primarily a walk hunt as the questions are based on the indoor and outdoor exhibits located at MTARP.
“No driving is required as everything is held at MTARP and based on what one sees at MTARP, a very significant and historic tourism landmark in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Yayasan SALAM has engaged the services of M.Govind Nair, who is renowned in local treasure hunting circles for his cryptic and challenging questions, to be the Clerk of the Course.
To ensure that participants understand and practise the noble principles of unity, teams will intentionally comprise people of different ethnic backgrounds in both the student and adult categories.
Each team must have participants from at least two ethnic groups. The entry fee for adults is RM200 for a team of four participants. Admission is free for secondary school students.
“The idea is to ensure a joyful, interactive experience where unity in diversity is lived, not just spoken,” Yong said.”It is an avenue for forming new friendships and strengthening our bonds of unity.”
The mental well-being and cultural intelligence forum from 10.45 am at the MTARP Auditorium will explore practical strategies to promote mental well-being for healthier communities and to reinforce greater productivity at the workplace as well as to raise greater awareness on the importance of cultural intelligence and cultural empathy to strengthen unity among Malaysia’s diverse races. Admission is free.
The forum will feature Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, President, Malaysian Mental Health Association and Dr Jamel Kaur Singh, an inter-ethnic relations strategist and author based in Melbourne, Australia.
The unity-themed event also marks the first initiative of SALAM for 2026. It also coincides with the 123rd anniversary of YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj’s birth — Malaysia’s first Prime Minister and beloved Father of Independence.
The events are also to mark his enduring legacy of goodwill, harmony, and inclusivity, which continues to inspire Malaysians, making this occasion profoundly symbolic.
More than a celebration, it is a living tribute to Tunku Abdul Rahman’s vision of a Malaysia built on harmony, inclusivity, and shared humanity.
Participation details are available via WhatsApp from telephone numbers: 012-2075951, 019-3821930 dan 0166291552.