Minister launches the first five volumes
The first five volumes of the Encyclopedia of Malaysia are the culmination of several years' work by a large team of advisors, academic, subject specialists, editors, designers, photographers and illustrators. The consent of YB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Hj Abdul Razak, Minister of Education, to launch the series is a mark of its educational importance and potential. In March 1994, an editorial Advisory Board, made up of distinguished figures drawn from academic and public life, was constituted, and later that year the project was officially announced. The first sponsors were welcomed in 1995. During 1996, the content of the 15 volumes was agreed, the Volume Editors were appointed, and a substantial number of authors were commissioned. The 15-volume series is published under the kind patronage of YAB Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Some 153 authors, including 129 Malaysians, have contributed to the first five volumes: The Environment, Plants, Animals, Early History and Architecture . Not only do these volumes reflect local perspectives for the first time, but the subjects contain the most up-to date information from the academic, technical and professional worlds, much of it difficult to obtain from a single source. This information, presented on thematic, double-page, full-colour spreads, is made clear and memorable by 3,679 photographs, archival images, original drawings, tables, diagrams and maps.