Nothing easy for 'under-developed' local arts scene - minister told

CORONAVIRUS | Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri has continued to receive flak for seemingly downplaying the challenges faced by the domestic arts sector in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

ReformARTsi Coalition, a coalition of over a hundred artists and 53 art groups, said the industry was already under-developed by the country, and as such, was not finding it “easy” to adapt to the current health and economic crisis.

“The cultural and arts sector in Malaysia is sorely under-developed, as evident in the allocation of only RM5 million in the 2019 Malaysian budget.

“In response to Nancy's (above) statement when she suggested ‘for those in the arts industry (and) the bands’ that things are not difficult for them, and that ‘it is easy for them to plan things,’ we are curious in these unsettling times, (if) one can find any sector, group or community that finds planning things ‘easy’.

“This statement is especially ignorant when referring to an industry that remains fragile, unsupported by the government and under-developed,” it said in a statement.

The coalition pointed out that many freelance artists have been struggling to find jobs or book gigs.

“The artistic community has been vulnerable before the movement control order (with no stable employment, no EPF) and now with the virus, the industry’s vulnerabilities have been exposed with very little recourse to fix the structural neglect.”

The criticism came in the wake of a recent interview Nancy gave to Astro Awani's "Consider This" programme where she claimed it was "easy" for those in the arts to adapt to the current situation.

Nancy denied that the arts sector is being sidelined over tourism by the government amid the pandemic, saying instead the former would be a "complementing" element and “the fastest to recover”.

She also gave the example of opportunities provided through an online singing competition on the ministry's website when asked by the interviewer if the arts industry had been left out amid economic uncertainties.

ReformARTsi pointed out that aside from commercial art - which could serve the tourism industry - cultural art is meant to develop Malaysian culture.

“Cultural art that is meant to speak to and for Malaysians, must not be relegated to a commodity transacted for tourists, as suggested by Nancy that arts ‘complement’ tourism.

“It would be very useful for the ministry to acknowledge and provide support for the host of diverse community-building and thought-provoking art projects, that serve to develop Malaysian culture for Malaysia, and that has no bearing on the tourism industry,” the statement read.

Her remarks also irked those in the performing arts, such as renowned theatre actress Jo Kukathas who said this showed Nancy lacked an understanding of what the arts are and what issues people in the sector are facing.

Responding to the criticism, Nancy yesterday reportedly told the Persatuan Pemuzik Tempatan Selangor (PPTS) that she understood the impact of Covid-19 on out of work musicians who were suffering "financially and emotionally". - Mkini