THE CICAK.com

Silencing the arts in Malaysia

By ARIVIND ABRAHAM

Malaysia rots at its core.

This is not the overblown statement of some anti-government radical, but an honest observation on the state of the nation. While all may look good on the surface, there is an insidious hand at play that poisons our nation from within.

The recent outrage the government has perpetrated in trying to shut down the Coliseum cinema in Kuala Lumpur is one example of this rot. Again I do not think these words are too harsh. Perhaps it is time that we, as the people, call a spade a spade.

Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim’s comment that “national interest surpasses any other interest” (The Star, page 3, Aug. 4 2006) smacks of nothing more than arrogance. It is a deeper reflection of a government which has forgotten that a government is “of the people, for the people and by the people.”

Rais Yatim is obviously out of touch with the people. He is a reminder that there are certain politicians within the framework of government who have forgotten they are there courtesy of the people.

Rais Yatim’s ambition to make Kuala Lumpur an arts hub will fail. He is politician and not an artist in any sense of the word. The arts cannot and will not thrive in an environment which stifles expression.

Freedom of expression does not mean we have to be controversial, but it represents the very basis of being artistic. Art cannot be dictated to the artist.

Also, how can closing the Coliseum be in the interest of art? What about the art of filmmaking? To filmmakers, the Coliseum represents a vital part of our art. It is a reminder of what a cinema once was, before we got caught up in the uniform architecture of cineplexes. Every filmmaker in the country worth his or her salt should chain himself or herself to the very foundations of that building if they try to take it down.

Malaysians need to shake of the shackles of apathy and remember that they have a voice.

It is understandable how the idea of a revolution would not be that appealing in a country where one still has food on the table and a roof over one’s head.

But what I am writing about here is a call, NOT to arms or to the streets, nor in any way to violence. This is call for a revolution of your minds. We have to break away from being a nation that judges progress merely by how many people have certificates from an institute of higher learning or monetary rewards. Big buildings do not represent a learned nation.

The government’s attempt to shut down the Coliseum means more than just us losing the Coliseum. It is reminder that we have forgotten how to hold our government to account.

It is time we make a significant push for change, especially those of you in your teens and your twenties.

Use your blogs, your websites, the media and every method available to you. Widen your minds, broaden your horizons and engage in educated and informed debate, because the time is ripe for us to send word to this government that they cannot run roughshod on this nation.

Because THAT is what the Coliseum is about.

Do not be silenced. Do not let this rot fester within our nation.
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ARIVIND ABRAHAM is a contributing writer for theCICAK.

Arivind is a writer/director who is currently based in London. He has just completed his debut feature, S’kali.