We are counting on you, Tiong King Sing!

 

 A few days ago, I watched a 13-year-old girl emcee a book launch at Tropicana Gardens Mall, Petaling Jaya. Full of confidence, Keerthanaa Surendran stood in front of a crowd consisting of some 100 people and introduced a book she wrote with 19 other young writers.

The book titled “Secret & Lies” was produced under The Junior Writers Programme and is the brainchild of editor Brigitte Rozario. Every year since 2018, Brigitte has been providing Malaysian youngsters with the tools and knowledge to write stories, empowering them throughout the seven months of the programme.

During the launch, I was impressed to watch the young writers introduce their book and the programme, conduct interviews among themselves, take part in the reading session and ultimately manage the Q&A session. Beyond a doubt, the writing programme has enriched them with many valuable skills.

Similarly, last month I attended a music concert initiated by a group of teenagers at Drum Asia, Kuala Lumpur. Calling themselves The Baby Cosmos, the band members consist of four teenage Malaysian boys who had just completed high school.

Refusing to wait for opportunities to come knocking at their door, these boys composed their own songs, released their first single on Spotify and took a big risk by organising their first music concert, featuring a few other young Malaysian bands.

While I truly enjoyed The Baby Cosmos’ performance, I was really wowed upon finding out that the teenage boys managed every detail of the event all by themselves, from the creation of the concert poster all the way to promotion and ticket sales.  

Keerthanaa Surendran (right) and team introducing the book they wrote

I must say, I find it exceptionally encouraging to see confident, creative and passionate young Malaysians like Keerthanaa and The Baby Cosmos, who are courageous enough to take a leap, putting themselves out there to be celebrated (and criticised) for their work at such a tender age.

While our national education system never gave priority towards arts programmes in schools, I am glad to note that more and more parents are enrolling their children in music, theatre, dance and visual arts classes, programmes and workshops. These parents are aware of the importance of arts in developing positive skills which would be valuable in their child’s future.

Many learned people recognise the value of arts, not only for the youth but also for society as a whole. However, our government has never shared the same sentiment.

But then again, our government has always shown a lack of interest in arts and everything arts related.

Government’s lack of interest

When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did not mention the arts and culture portfolio when he announced his cabinet earlier this month, I honestly thought he was no different than his predecessors who neglected the country’s arts and culture sector. Apparently, my fellow columnists in Malaysiakini also felt the same.

The Baby Cosmos is made of four teenage Malaysian boys - Darrel, Tim, Sean and Joseph

In his Malay opinion piece titled ‘Often forgotten by politicians’, Abdullah Jones mentioned this: “Artists have known for a long time that no matter which planet our ministers come from, they will forever be treated as circus clowns who are only needed to entertain the public.

“To the government, art is entertainment. Art is just dancing, tumbling and the like for fun. And to some ministers, female artists are potential wives.”

Feisal Tehrani in his Malay piece titled ‘Dear Anwar, you need arts and culture’, wrote this: “Arts and culture will sensitise Malaysians that this country needs humanity and not a narrow understanding of racism. Arts and culture will truly put unity on the 'government of unity'.

“Arts and culture will attack the false narratives of the political enemies of today's government. And arts and culture will monitor and supervise the government today, so it does not deviate from the right path.”

While I shared Abdullah and Feisal’s sentiments, I am very much glad to hear Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing (photo at the top) clarify the government’s decision to retain the arts and culture portfolio under the Tourism Ministry. Stressing that arts and culture are important treasures of the country, Tiong also promised to do his best for the arts.

As an arts practitioner who experienced struggle and hardship during the pandemic and witnessed the closure of one of the country’s prominent performing arts centres, I can only be hopeful that Tiong keeps his word and does not treat the arts and culture as merely a supporting sector to tourism.

The arts need help

Truth be told. Many of us in the arts sector are still feeling a bit bruised from the pandemic. First, we were governed by a minister who totally lacked knowledge of arts and their function in our society - she thought singing competitions would be the solution to all our woes. And then we were suddenly tossed to a different ministry altogether, leaving us feeling confused and helpless.

Actors Studio Chorus and Orchestra performing at Penangpac, before its closure early this year

In all honesty, the arts could really use the government’s support. The arts practitioners would love to have a minister who proves he cares about the needs of the sector and does his best to improve the position of the arts in the country.

I hope Tiong understands that in supporting arts and culture, the government uses these sectors as a tool in nation-building, that it is actually investing in human capital and enriching society.

I do not know how much Tiong understands about the arts or the role it plays in our society. However, having watched the viral video of him dancing jovially with the Iban community in Bintulu during a previous Gawai celebration, I can only hope he has a deep love for the arts and is the right man for the job.  

I have high hopes for Tiong. I hope his ministry will hold dialogue sessions with key stakeholders to understand and support the Malaysian arts sector better.

Under his care, I hope more arts-related programmes will be funded for the youths and the marginalised communities in Malaysia.

Arts reflect our society and culture, helping us understand what we are as a society and how we relate to one another

I hope the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will join efforts with other ministries, such as education, youth and community development, to engage various parties in developing programmes that enrich our society.  

I hope Tiong will show support towards small and medium arts organisations as well as non-profit arts companies in the country. I hope they will be given more opportunities to enjoy government funding, compared to the big, urban performing arts companies with projects that do not benefit society directly.

I pray Tiong understands how hopeful we all are that he will take this responsibility more seriously than any of his predecessors. - Mkini

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FA ABDUL is a multi-award-winning playwright and director in the local performing arts scene, a published author, television scriptwriter, media trainer, and mother. Her ultimate mission in life is to live out of a small suitcase.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT