Kuala lumpur: The National Unity Ministry (KPN), through the National Archives, today launched the British Colonial Office Digital Collection to promote, disseminate, and revitalize the latest digital collection that can be referenced and accessed by Malaysians. Its minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, explained that the British Colonial Office Digital Collection consists of official records created by the Colonial Office, which managed the administration of the British Empire's colonies from the 19th century to the mid-20th century.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collection encompasses administration and governance, international relations, demographic change, and life in British colonies. These records, stored at The National Archives of the United Kingdom in London, hold significant information about Malaysia, serving as a primary reference for historical research in the country. The minister's statement was delivered by KPN secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid during the launch event.

The digital collection includes materials related to Tanah Melayu (Malaya), Singapore, Borneo, Brunei, the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States, and the Unfederated Malay States. It comprises correspondence, documents, manuscripts, maps, plans, photographs, agreements, reports, newspapers, and magazines. Aaron disclosed that the collection contains 8,507 files with 1,131,112 images or pages dating from 1759 to 1967. These materials are accessible at the National Archives through the Gale Primary Sources Platform, an international digital database, but copying is regulated by the National Archives of Malaysia (Fees) Regulations 2015.

Aaron emphasized that the British Colonial Office Digital Collection can facilitate high-impact research across various disciplines such as history, social sciences, law, and regional studies. It also supports the government's aim to address issues, disputes, and controversies concerning historical facts at both national and international levels. He expressed hope that the collection will attract and encourage researchers and scholars from within and outside Malaysia to conduct studies and research based on authentic sources.