Mamat Khalid a hero of unity, says unity minister

The late film director Mamat Khalid was a hero who fought for unity, said National Unity Minister Halimah Sadique.

She said Mamat was incredibly artistic and left a legacy by embedding messages of racial unity into his works.

“Allahyarham Mamat is an artist... who should be emulated by all. The arts is a medium that can be used as a platform for the unification of races and ethnicities in this country.

“Like the late P Ramlee who left an artistic legacy for decades to the entire multiracial community in Malaysia, I see (that in) Mamat Khalid as well.

"There is the value of society, the value of racial unity, the value of togetherness in Mamat’s works," Halimah (above) said in a statement.

Mamat, 58, died late last night at the Slim River Hospital in Perak. He was brought to the hospital after he collapsed from what was believed to be a heart attack.

Mamat - the younger brother of famous cartoonist Mohammad Nor Khalid, better known as Lat - leaves behind his widow, Hasmah Hassan, and five children.

According to Halimah, the beauty of a film director's work is when it is enjoyed by a multiracial community and can also send positive messages that can be received beyond their time.

“Mamat Khalid not only produced humorous works but also invites the whole community to respect each other, love one another, be helpful, and be tolerant within the community.

"It is there that a work of art is 'expensive' when it also tells a story with positive values so that it is remembered in history," she said.

Halimah also expressed her condolences to the family of the director of the films Zombi Kampung Pisang and Hantu Kak Limah for his passing.

“I hope the entire family of the deceased is given perseverance over this loss. Let us all Muslims present al-Fatihah to the deceased.

"The passing of Mamat Khalid is also a great loss to the country, and I believe his works will continue to live on and remain fresh in the eyes of the Malaysian community," she said.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaaakob sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, saying that the country’s performing arts world had “lost a star”.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa similarly spoke of Mamat’s passing as an immense loss of an “irreplaceable talent”.

“Condolences to the family of Mamat Khalid, producer, director, and actor. The country has lost a talent that is irreplaceable. May his soul be placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” he tweeted. - Mkini