Traditional dance theatre in PAS-led Terengganu lives in shadow of ban

KUALA LUMPUR — After Terengganu fell to Islamist Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) in the 1May 9 General Election, traditional dance threatre performers in the Malaysian east coast state knew they would face some harsh decisions soon.

One of them was mak yong performer Che Siti Dollah who told her family to return to their keropok (fish crackers) factory in Kuala Besut, some 100km from the state capital Kuala Terengganu.

She suspected that the PAS-led state government would ban mak yong in Terengganu, just like what they did in Kelantan in 1992.

Mak yong is a traditional form of dance threatre from northern Malaysia, particularly the state of Kelantan. It was banned by PAS because of its rituals which went against Islamic teachings.

Also banned were traditional performances like menora and main puteri, as these were not in line with Islamic teachings.

“We were not pleased when the BN  (Barisan Nasional) state government collapsed for we knew that mak yong performers will not be able to perform in the state any more,” Ms Che Siti told The Malaysian Insight.

Current PAS Chief Minister Ahmad Shamsuri Mokhtar has not made any announcement on a ban and other performing arts which were banned in Kelantan after PAS took over from BN in 1992.

However, Ms Che Siti and her troupe, Mak Yong Cahaya Matahari, have already been approached by local PAS representatives who told them they could not perform in public like before.

“The PAS representatives met me last month (September) and said we could not perform the mak yong any more,” said Ms Che Siti, who has led the troupe since 1995.

“Of course, we are upset because we are traditional mak yong performers.”  

The 81-year-old reminisced about the 1960s to the early 1990s, when the troupe performed all over the country until PAS abruptly brought the curtain down.

Ms Che Siti added that this was unlike the time of the BN-led state government before the national polls.

“They allowed us to perform and even encourage the troupe.

“Previously, we could perform at least twice a month in Besut,” she said, referring to the cultural activities planned by the local councils in Kuala Besut, a town in Terengganu.  

The dancer also said it was frustrating now that they are banned from performing in their hometown when they are invited to Kuala Lumpur and all over the country to showcase their craft.

“There are even calls for us to perform in Paris, France.”

NO BAN YET
Terengganu exco Ariffin Deraman said the state government has not made up its mind on mak yong and other performances of similar nature.

“There is no decision yet. We will see first, we have already had discussions,” Mr Ariffin told The Malaysian Insight.

“As a principle, we want traditions to be suited with Islamic teachings. We will scrutinise what can or cannot be done.”

Early last month, the state government came out with guidelines for performers, such as only allowing males to sing and dance in public.

The guidelines also detailed that female dancers and singers could only perform for an all-female audience in a closed environment.

“This is just a guide. We came out with this as there was a music festival being organised (on Redang Island). We are still discussing it.

“We will look at it one by one. We will explain further after the discussions are over,” Mr Ariffin said.

Mr Md Gel Mat Dali, the lead musician in Mak Yong Cahaya Matahari’s troupe, lives in Kelantan but goes to Besut in Terengganu when there is a performance.

“Now, we have no place to practise,” the 60-year-old said.

However, he said the blame should not be fully on the Islamist party, adding that performers should also take responsibility.

“Their mistake is they are obsessed about the rituals. Mak yong is a dance form, there can be many choreographies,” Mr Md Gel said.

Ms Che Siti also did not understand the ban on separating women from men, as all of her troupe dancers are family members.

“The ones who perform are me, my children, their husbands, nephews and grandchildren. All are my family members and yet I cannot perform,” she said.

Mak yong is listed by Unesco as a world heritage but has been downplayed by Malaysian authorities.

The United Nations last year urged Kelantan to lift the ban on mak yong and other traditional dances.

The Kelantan government is adamant about maintaining a ban in the state but allows performers to dance elsewhere. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT