The Malaysian Insight

THE essence of Kelantan mak yong may be lost forever despite the end of a 28-year ban on the dance by the PAS government earlier this week, said cultural activist and researcher Eddin Khoo. 

Khoo, the founder of Pusaka which works on the preservation of Malay cultural art forms, told The Malaysian Insight the dance had been diluted with the imposition of shariah restrictions by the state government as a condition to lifting the ban.

“I applaud the Kelantan government on its willingness to lift the ban but lifting the ban has left mak yong as just another art form.

“Mak yong is more than just an art form. It is also about the culture and traditions of the Kelantanese,” he said.

“Mak yong has deeper reach. It entails world views and local essence of Kelantan.”  

He was responding to an announcement by Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah earlier this week that mak yong can be performed in Kelantan after a ban of some 28 years.

However, Amar said those who wish to stage the dance can only do so after they comply with shariah requirements, including making it compulsory for performers to cover their aurat.

Organisers also need to ensure separation between men and women on stage and in the audience.

There must also be no element of worship and rituals in the performances, added Amar.

The deputy MB also said despite the lift on the ban, the state government as well as the religious department would continue to monitor the performances of the traditional Malay art form to ensure it conforms to requirements. 

Khoo said political interference in culture and art was the biggest problem that had curtailed the development of mak yong.

Politicians fear their own shadows and want to govern art forms, such as mak yong, he said.

“Why are cultural art forms being dictated by politicians? Who are they to determine what can be performed? This is a big issue.

“Politicians should not enter the cultural arena. Culture and various art forms have been around for hundreds of years. These are not Western influences but the creation of the Malays.”

Kelantan’s announcement is also seen as bittersweet news for mak yong performers because of the conditions imposed.

Performer Hasnah Jusoh said the restrictions imposed would dilute the mak yong dance.

She is disappointed that the state government wants to control mak yong although the dance was acknowledged as a protected art form by Unesco. 

Hasnah, who runs the Cahaya Matahari Mak Yong troupe, said the state government had discussed the conditions during a meeting two months ago.

The state also wants to impose a male performer-only restriction but she had objected to it.

“If the condition is that the performer must wear a tudung, we can still do it, but asking for only male performers will kill off the art form.”

She said mak yong performers are waiting for the full details on conditions to be imposed by the state government.

“We have not heard anything official yet from the state government,” she said.

The PAS state government banned mak yong in 1992, citing fantasy and ancient pre-Islamic beliefs elements.

The Malay dance has resurfaced in the media after a call by United Nations special rapporteur Karima Bennounce in March this year for Kelantan to lift the ban on mak yong, wayang kulit and several other traditional art forms.

Following the call, Kelantan set up a special committee to study whether mak yong is shariah-compliant.

State Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Md Anizam Abdul Rahman also said Kelantan will allow mak yong performances in the state if the dance complies with shariah requirements. – September 26, 2019.