Exclusive Pictures during Launch of Book 'Sikh Community in Malaysia'

Exclusive Pictures during the Launch of Book 'Sikh Community in Malaysia' on 28th June, 2009 at Crowne Plaza Mutiara, Kuala Lumpur

Coverage on the Launch of Book 'Sikh Community in Malaysia'

As of 29/6/2009, the Launch of the Coffee Table Book, Sikh Community in Malaysia received coverage from the following links below:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/29/nation/4215418&sec=nation

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2594624/Article/index_html

http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090629/874/twl-sultan-of-perak-applauds-malay-sikh.html

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=421325

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=421329

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Malaysia--s-Sultan-applauds-Sikhs-for-their-contribution/482734

http://m.themalaysianinsider.com/articles_headlines.php?id=malaysia/30771-understanding-and-communication-key-to-harmonious-nation-says-perak-sultan

http://210.19.40.5/ssig/news/fullnews.php?news_id=63381&news_cat=ts

http://www.sinarharian.com.my/com/content/story2906742.asp

http://www.bharian.com.my/Monday/Nasional/20090628225658/Article/index_html

http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2594624/Article/pppull_index_html

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0629&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_12.htm

http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/120242?tid=1

http://www.guangming.com.my/node/50828?tid=3

http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2009-06-29&sec=mas&art=0629mc53.txt

Tan Sri Darshan Singh to Dato' Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim : Broadcast Sikh Cultural and Arts Programmes in RTM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will give more avenue for the broadcast of cultural and arts programmes of the country's ethnic minorities, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said today.

The request from GERAKSIKH President, Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill was echoed to the Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim.

He said the culture and arts of the minority groups such as the Sikhs, Portuguese, Orang Asli, the Babas and Nyonyas and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak should be brought to the fore, not merely through news and documentaries.

“We will also seek out the other minority groups and see how they can all get their rightful place under the Malaysian sun.

“We have to give them the chance, and convince them that the government is sincere in wanting to work with them,” he told reporters after the launch of a coffee table book entitled “"The Sikh Community in Malaysia” by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, here.

The 266-page book was written by Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GerakSikh) president Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill. – Bernama

Sultan Azlan Shah launches Coffee Table Book 'Sikh Community in Malaysia' by Tan Sri Dato' Seri Darshan Singh Gill

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, said today understanding and effective communication among the diverse ethnic groups of Malaysian society were key to the continuous peace and harmony of the country.

He said understanding and effective communication allowed people of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds to interact with one another.

“I am of the firm belief that our nation’s rich diversity is something to be proud of and something to be safeguarded,” he said when launching a coffee table book entitled “The Sikh Community in Malaysia”, here.

The 266-page book was written by Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GerakSikh) president Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill.

Also present at the launch were the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Bainun; the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, and his consort the Raja Puan Besar of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim; Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Touching on the Sikh community, Sultan Azlan Shah said that despite being a minority in Malaysia – 0.3 per cent of the overall Malaysian population – the Sikhs have been able to retain their distinct cultural identity which has set them apart from the Tamil and other Indian communities.

“The Sikh community has maintained its distinctiveness most conspicuously. Their steadfastness in their religious beliefs and cultural practices and their strong sense of community have undeniably afforded the Sikh community their resilience and distinction,” he said.

The sultan said the Sikhs, who came to then Malaya and served as policemen for the British Straits Settlements and as night watchmen for industries, had garnered a reputation for their gallantry in the security forces and their competence in maintaining law and order.

“Perak was an early settlement which notably acted as the launchpad towards various security deployments in other parts of the country.

“Today, the community’s role and influence extends to all other fields, with prominence in professions such as medicine and law.

“On the whole, they form an invaluable and integral part of our colourful social fabric, and deserve due recognition for their contribution, as much as any other citizen, to Malaysia’s economic, cultural and political life,” he said.

Touching on the book, Sultan Azlan Shah said it was valuable since it not only allowed the present Malaysian Sikh community to know its ancestry, cultural heritage and origins but also promoted an understanding and appreciation amongst the wider Malaysian audience of their Sikh comrades.

“It is an instrument of dialogue between cultures. I have also always believed that historical records are very important so that the substance of the past is never lost or diluted and, in this respect, this publication is additionally praiseworthy,” he said.

The book, published by MPH, sells for RM89.90 a copy. – Bernama