Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 21. 5th September 1973

Eastern Cultural Concert versus MSA's Malaysian Cultural Show

Eastern Cultural Concert versus MSA's Malaysian Cultural Show

Dear Editors,

Through months of preparation, by sacrificing precious time for study, the workers of Eastern Cultural Concert have successfully presented to the audiences a clear picture of the livelihood in Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah, where the rich are becoming richer, and the poor poorer. The great gap between the rich and the poor is the result of exploitation by local and foreign capitalists and unjust governments.

The MSA's Malaysian Cultural Show, on the other hand, merely displayed a false picture of the Malaysian livelihood mainly enjoyed by the rich. For example, the palace dances of the Malay and Chinese aim only to entertain the rich government officials and business men during some formal functions which the ordinary some formal functions which the ordinary and poor rubber tappers, mining workers have no chance to attend. Some of the items on display such as rubber shoes are the products of factories (eg Bata and Dunlop Co.) owned by principally foreign capitalists. In fact the presence of few pairs of shoes signifies nothing but foreign exploitation. The two films that were supplied by the Malaysian High Commission were worse still. One of which displays a major tourist attraction in the beautiful Penang island: the spinnning of a sexy belly dancer in a night club (what a disgrace to Malaysian culture!) The MSA'S cultural show not only fails to present to the New Zealand people a true face of Malaysia but also reminds us that the present executive members of MSA are nothing but the running dogs of the Malaysian High Commission. These executive members of MSA will be ashamed if they still remember their committed stand — to remain totally independent from the High Commission in their last year's election manifesto.

The overwhelming and heart felt reponse' from the audiences (both Malaysian students and New Zealand friends) during the Eastern Cultural Concert at the Memorial Theatre shows that the concert actually reflects the social reality of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. The opening group singing song — Bersatu' is a Malay song which appeals to the people of our motherland — Malay, Chinese and Indian and others — to unite and fight for a prosperous future. 'The Anguish of Life' and the 'Pineapple Harvest Time' show how the Malay fishermen of the cast-coast and the pineapple farmers of Johore are being exploited by the rich Chinese and Malay middle men and the pineapple processing factories (one of which is owned by stale capital), respectively. The three short plays. 'We want to live', 'Books! Books! Books!' and 'The Rich and the Pour' were all entertaining and ed ucation. In short, I and most of the audience would agree that the performance is highly successful and of a high professional standard, although it was only a first attempt. The workers of the Eastern Cultural Concert should be warmly commended and encouraged for their enthusiasm in promoting this interesting, realism education and entertaining concert in New Zea land. Perhaps the New Zealand friends may find it useful to put out a performance of a similar nature to reflect the reality of New Zealand society.

Oppressed Malaysian