Malaysian Theater Practitioner Warns Against Loss of Respect and Cultural Sensitivity

The Malaysian theater scene is at a crossroads, with prominent figures like Ijam Petra calling for a renewed commitment to moral responsibility and cultural sensitivity. Petra, a theater practitioner and influencer, has cautioned artists against prioritizing absolute freedom of expression at the expense of local values and decency. The recent controversy surrounding a play at Universiti Malaya, which displayed inappropriate scenes that went viral, has amplified these concerns, serving as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls in artistic endeavors.

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Theater is not destroyed by the number of practitioners, but it is destroyed by the lack of discipline, the loss of respect, and the poverty of awareness of the aesthetics of art itself.

Petra emphasizes that while theater is a dynamic art form capable of diverse interpretations, it must not transgress boundaries that could damage the reputation of performing arts. He argues that the decline of theater is not due to a lack of practitioners but rather a deficit in discipline, respect, and a nuanced understanding of artistic aesthetics. He posits that stifling artistic expression leads to accusations of anti-democracy, yet unchecked freedom without guidance risks eroding the already fragile image of Malaysian theater.

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If we are blocked, we are accused of being anti-democratic, but if we are left without guidance, it will tear the image of performing arts, which is already fragile.

As an alumnus of Universiti Malaya's Performing Arts program, Petra stresses the fundamental duty of every theater artist to possess a profound grasp of the script, mastery of directorial and scenographic techniques, and a keen aesthetic sensibility attuned to the religious, customary, and cultural nuances of Malaysia. He urges artists to resist blindly imitating foreign trends, which can lead to a loss of national identity. True modernism in art, he contends, should elevate dignity, not undermine it. Echoing the wisdom of the late Khalid Salleh, Petra reminds the community that while theater may be considered 'play,' it demands serious execution and a deep awareness of its impact on the audience, likening art to a mirror of society that should not be cracked by ignorance.

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We don't need to be 'more Western than the West' to the point of compromising our identity. Outsiders will also look at us cynically if we only imitate without a strong cultural foundation.