Heritage Commissioner
Appointed by the Minister - Section 4 [Act 645] and this appointment is published in the Gazette;
A corporate body that is perpetual and has a corporate seal;
May sue and be sued in its own name; and
Exercising functions and powers thru the provisions of sections 6 and 7 of Act 645.
Functions of the Commissioner
a. To determine the designation of sites, the registration of underwater cultural objects and heritage;
b. to realize and organize the Register and to determine and establish the categories of heritage to be listed in the Register;
c. to oversee and supervise the conservation, preservation, restoration, maintenance, promotion, exhibition, and accessibility of heritage;
d. to encourage and facilitate any research related to heritage;
e. to justify, monitor, and supervise excavations for heritage purposes;
f. to organize documents related to any excavation, exploration, discovery, or search for heritage;
g. to establish and maintain relationships and cooperation with the State Authorities regarding the conservation and preservation of heritage matters;
h. to advise and coordinate with local planning authorities, the Council, and other bodies and entities at all levels for the purpose of protecting, promoting, and dealing with any heritage;
i. to promote and regulate the standards and practices applicable to the conservation and preservation of heritage;
j. to advise the Minister on any matter relating to the conservation and preservation of heritage;
k. to perform any other functions under this Act as may be assigned by the Minister from time to time; and
l. to do all things incidental to or arising from the performance of its powers and functions.
Commissioner's Powers
Subject to and for the purposes of this Act, the powers of the Commissioner are as follows:
(a) to enter into a contract;
(b) to acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy every kind of movable and immovable property;
(c) to transfer, assign, surrender, return, pledge, mortgage, demise, reassign, transfer ownership, or otherwise dispose of, or deal with any movable or immovable property and any interest in any movable or immovable property, vested in the Commissioner; and
(d) to do all things reasonably necessary for the performance of its obligations under this Act.
List of Heritage Commissioners
1. Professor Emerita Datin Paduka Zuraina Majid
(April 2006 – May 2014)
2. Dato' Dr. Zainah binti Ibrahim
(June 2014 – June 2019)
3. Mr. Haji Mesran bin Mohd. Yusop
(May 2019 – January 2021)
4. Mr. Mohd. Azmi bin Mohd Yusof
(Feb 2021 – Dec 2023)
5. Mr. Mohamad Muda bin Bahadin
(April 2024 – Present)