Library gives insight into how PMs moulded national ethos PUTRAJAYA, Thurs, 一 The
Perdana Library and Research Centre, which opened today, will give Malaysians an insight into the national ethos moulded by past Prime Ministers.
The public can access records on strategies for the economic, social and political development of the nation pursued by the four past premiers. The documents are also available online.
Launched today by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the library provides integrated information service and collection on the past policies, strategies and initiatives.
Boasting a network system that serves as a link to local and international information providers, it is linked to libraries locally and abroad.
Among other documents available at the library are declassified government documents and unpublished works, restricted collections, conference papers and speeches by the four leaders.
Efforts are also under way for the library to establish gifts and exchange of information with other organisations.
The Perdana Library is a project of the Perdana Leadership Foundation (PLF), a private sector initiative.
Foundation board of trustees chairman Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin, in his speech, praised the 26 companies which donated RM1 million each to establish the library, thus helping to preserve and propagate the intellectual heritage of past leaders.
A magnificent display of traditional architecture, the library is located in a scenic part of Putrajaya. Built on a promontory, the building is bounded on three sides by the Putrajaya Lake.
Azizan said the library also served to provide the documentation needed to educate the younger generation and should be used as a point of reference in nation-building.
He urged the public in possession of documents and information on the four former Prime Ministers 一 Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Hussein Onn and Dr Mahathir 一 to send them to the library.
Also present at the launch were Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd All, some members of the PLF board of trustees and representatives of the contributing companies.