KUALA LUMPUR: The Government encourages the preservation of the heritage and identity of traditional villages, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

Dr Wee, who oversees new villages and SME development, however, noted that the look of some villages, especially those close to cities, cannot be maintained.

He added that some new villages are too close to towns and their traditional elements may not be able to be preserved.

“For example, you cannot find the traditional 1950s look in villages in Jinjang.

“We can, however, maintain the heritage at more traditional villages. Whenever the Government gives allocation to a village’s security and development committees, we ensure there is some focus on maintaining its unique traits,” he said in winding up the debate for his ministry on the 11th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday morning.

Dr Wee, who is MCA deputy president, said his ministry was also studying the sustainability of new villages in Malaysia in clusters by looking at the age groups of residents there.

The 11th Malaysia Plan was passed by the august House at 1am on Tuesday.-thestar