Introduction to Information

Studies – SMM154
ARCHIVES
Introduction
Archival Materials
Collecting Archives
Introduction (National Archives of Malaysia)
 The main responsibilities of the NAM, as stipulated in the
National Archives Act No. 44/66, are to gather, preserve,
and make available public records for reference by
members of the public.
 Public records of historical or national value which are
transferred to the NAM are preserved as sources of
reference for the future.
 In order to achieve this objective, research and reference
facilities are provided at the Reference and Finding Aids
Services Branch of the NAM.
 These services are available to government agencies
and the public with the objective of instilling a sense of
patriotism and to help in formulating policies on national
solidarity.
Archival Materials (National Archives of Malaysia)
 Archival materials comprise all forms acquired
from both official as well as private sources.
 Materials acquired from government
departments include files, publications, acts
and ordinances, photographs, microfilms,
audio-visual materials, treaties, oral history
recordings, maps, plans etc.
 Materials from private sources include
collection of private papers which may
contain government papers, photographs,
theses, and newspapers.
Archival Materials (National Archives of Malaysia)
 These archival materials are available for reference,
except for the following:
 Records in the form of files less than 25 years old, that are yet to
become archives.
 Classified archival materials which have not been down graded
by the creating agencies.
 Records containing sensitive issues which may threaten political
and national stability.
 Access to archival materials is governed by the National
Archives Act No. 44/66, National Archives Act (Facilities
for Reference) 1974, Regulation for the Use of Archival
Materials and the Official Secrets Act (Amendment)
1986.
 “The archives shall be referred to only in the room or
area provided for such purpose and shall not be
removed therefrom”. (1974. No. 6[1])