Latest news with #Malay-Muslim
Sinar Daily
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Seribu Tahun opens dialogue, not agendas, on LGBTQ+ themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling
For many Malaysians who tuned into Seribu Tahun, the show's exploration of LGBTQ+ themes might appear bold, even unexpected. But to those who have closely followed the trajectory of its creators, this narrative choice felt like an earnest effort to grapple with the realities on our social periphery. Through heightened emotion, layered storytelling and a cultural lens rooted in local sensibilities, it dares to engage with contemporary issues often whispered but rarely explored in mainstream media. A deliberate and responsible narrative approach Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation lecturer, Ts Mastura Muhammad believes this approach is far from haphazard. It is, in fact, grounded in deep cultural reflection and narrative responsibility. 'I approach Seribu Tahun with a critical awareness of its narrative ambition and the socio-cultural realities it seeks to engage. Having followed the director and production team's earlier works, it is clear they consistently produce high-quality content grounded in Malay-Muslim sociocultural contexts. 'Within this framework, the inclusion of LGBT themes in Seribu Tahun does not come across as an imposed agenda, but rather as a deliberate, reflective engagement with pressing contemporary issues. 'This thematic direction suggests a responsible and courageous attempt to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties; often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement,' she said in an interview with Sinar Daily. Mastura pointed out that the series is not merely provocative for provocation's sake, but instead strives to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties, often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement. But how does this creative risk play out within Malaysia's complex cultural and religious tapestry? To understand that, Mastura suggests we shift our view of media from mirror to lens. 'In the Malaysian context, the common saying 'art imitates life' may oversimplify the role of media. A more fitting interpretation might be that art represents life; filtered through cultural, political and narrative conventions. 'Since genres like science fiction are still developing in our local television landscape, most Malaysian dramas remain rooted in social realism, thereby serving as platforms for social commentary. Within this genre, directors often use heightened storytelling elements to maintain emotional engagement. 'It is essential, however, to view a drama series in its entirety rather than focusing on isolated scenes. Often, controversial moments are juxtaposed with scenes that offer resolution or contextual balance. 'This dialectical structure - tension followed by resolution - is central to storytelling. Thus, even representations of LGBT identities that may provoke discomfort can spark necessary dialogue within Malaysia's multicultural and multi-religious society,' she added. Seribu Tahun's narrative sparks dialogue, not agendas, on LGBT themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling. Photo: Facebook The importance of media literacy and audience interpretation Of course, any depiction of marginalised communities - particularly in a conservative society - risks misinterpretation. But here, media literacy plays a crucial role. Mastura highlighted the shift away from outdated assumptions of how media influences audiences. 'From a media studies lens, it is important to recognise that audience reception is neither passive nor homogenous. Viewers interpret content through a range of filters -cultural background, religious belief, education and socio-political context. 'The once-dominant 'hypodermic needle' theory of media influence has long given way to more nuanced models like encoding or decoding, which recognise varied audience interpretations. 'The fear that media representation directly shapes youth behaviour is often exaggerated and not strongly supported by empirical evidence. On the contrary, when stories involving marginalised identities are told with cultural sensitivity and narrative depth, they can foster empathy, understanding and critical reflection,' she said. It is within this space - 'between provocation and pedagogy, representation and restraint,' as Mastura puts it - that Seribu Tahun finds its power and perhaps, its purpose.
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Weapons of mass deception in war
COMMENT | Why do some non-Malays online support the bombing of Iran? They probably feel bullied by Malay-Muslim ketuanan or supremacy at home and, therefore, have little sympathy when Muslims overseas are attacked. It's also strange how Sunni Muslim Malaysia is openly supporting a country which practices Shia Islam, which is officially an 'ajaran sesat' or deviant teaching at home. When religion and politics get mixed up, strange things can happen.
Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Young Malay-Muslim leaders drive community growth with new ideas: Acting Minister Faishal Ibrahim
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said self-help group Yayasan Mendaki is a key institution championing the success of the Malay-Muslim community. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE – New ideas and new ways of connecting proposed by young Malay-Muslim leaders will help take both the community and Singapore forward, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. In a Facebook video message on June 14 addressing self-help group Yayasan Mendaki, Associate Professor Faishal said that as it is a key institution championing the success of the Malay-Muslim community , various stakeholders like the Government and community leaders have pitched in to help those from humble backgrounds make progress. 'It is only with everyone's interest, unity, and active support of many partners that we are strong,' said Prof Faishal, addressing Yayasan Mendaki at its annual general meeting. Apologising for missing the event due to family commitments, Prof Faishal also expressed gratitude for the continued leadership of Mendaki chairman Zaqy Mohamad. Mr Zaqy took over the reins of the group from former chairman Masagos Zulkifli about three weeks ago. Prior to his appointment, Mr Zaqy had been the deputy chairman of the self-help group since May 2018. Prof Faishal said that under Mr Zaqy's active guidance over the last five years , Mendaki has made big changes in building capability and professionalism while continuing to deliver its services with compassion. One example is the Mendaki Professional Networks that allow members to connect with others and contribute to the community through ad-hoc volunteering. 'It is a fantastic idea that widens their community support base, in tune with the times. It harnesses the desire for professionals to grow and contribute through their professions, while at the same time, activate good ideas to uplift the community,' said Prof Faishal. 'Let us continue to uplift our community together. Help parents give our children an early start, encourage students to do well in school, help workers to contribute meaningfully to society with lifelong learning, as well as our professionals to give back to our community with the same spirit as our earlier generations.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
MCA's annual meet to decide whether to cut ties with Umno
MCA president Wee Ka Siong awaits the decision of the party's 191 divisions on whether the party's future continues to lie with Umno. PHOTO: BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR – Ongoing divisional meetings of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) are set to decide if the founding member of Malaysia's longest-ruling alliance will move to part ways with Umno at the party's annual general assembly, expected as soon as October. This comes amid grumbles by MCA grassroots of being jilted by Umno – the dominant force in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition – in favour of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is currently far more popular among the ethnic Chinese electorate. DAP has the most seats – 40 – in Parliament of any ruling party and is a key member of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance, which leads a multi-coalition government that includes BN. MCA and DAP previously clashed in seats with a significant Chinese electorate but MCA has only two Members of Parliament. BN chief and Umno president Zahid Hamidi is also deputy premier in the so-called unity government formed after the November 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament. A divorce between Umno and MCA will have wide ramifications in Malaysia's swiftly shifting political landscape, by undercutting BN's multiracial outlook. Further, should MCA form a pact with the largely Malay-Muslim nationalist Perikatan Nasional (PN), it will bolster the opposition coalition's own aspirations to be more representative of Malaysia's ethnic diversity. The Straits Times has learnt that MCA president Wee Ka Siong told top leaders to use the divisional meetings that began on June 1 to propose whether it should remain in BN and on what terms. When contacted, Datuk Seri Dr Wee confirmed that divisional delegate assemblies will 'talk about the future and direction of the party', although he refused to 'anticipate or make a conclusion now' on what the 191 MCA divisions nationwide will propose. He called the discussions at the divisions a 'very normal' process before the national annual general meeting (AGM) to decide on 'what are the things that need to be done'. According to party officials, the various scenarios being mulled at the top levels go beyond simply maintaining the status quo or leaving BN and charting its own path. If MCA chooses to exit BN, it could also form a new alliance with smaller parties, such as the existing pact between Malaysian United Democratic Alliance – led by former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman – and the Socialist Party of Malaysia. Or it might choose to even join PN, led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. The sentiment from early divisional meets in the first half of June – largely from the traditional stronghold states of Johor and Pahang – has pointed towards calling for BN to part ways with PH once elections are called. 'A Johor state election needs to be held by 2027, a year before national polls, but there's growing talk that it could be held as early as next year,' a top-ranking official told ST. 'Johor MCA so far appears to want BN to contest on its own, as the coalition remains strong there and won a two-thirds majority the last round of the Johor state elections in 2022.' Johor is the only state in Malaysia whose entire Cabinet is controlled by BN, whereas six others are jointly governed by a mix of PH and BN leaders. However, Dr Wee insisted that 'every state (MCA) has different characteristics (but) as a national party, we cannot say for this state we have this policy, for another state, a different policy. It has to be a collective decision'. The soul-searching in MCA comes amid discussion on reversing its diminishing influence, a far cry from its heyday when it controlled the powerful finance ministry until 1974. As recently as 2008, it had 31 MPs to DAP's 12. An MCA resolution for BN to end its electoral pact with PH – where the two coalitions avoided clashing in the same seats and often campaigned for each other's candidates – would leave the ball in the court of BN chairman Datuk Seri Zahid. He is very much in favour of continuing to partner with PH. The latest incident that jarred MCA-Umno relations came during the Ayer Kuning by-election in Perak state in April, when DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming was joined by Umno campaigners in chanting 'Umdap mantap'. The chant was seen as an attempt to normalise what was previously a derogatory portmanteau of the two former bitter rivals. The 'Umdap' term is often used by opposition figures to suggest that both Umno and the DAP have betrayed their principles and supporters by working together; but it rhymes with the Malay word 'mantap', meaning 'solid'. 'We can see that Umno is cooperating well with DAP and (Mr Anwar's) Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), while MCA seems to be treated as if it does not exist,' Kuantan MCA chief Ti Lian Ker, a former party vice-president, said in a March podcast. He is among several senior figures who are concerned about the party's relevance within the BN framework, saying that 'it is becoming increasingly apparent we are going to be left out' at the next general election, due by early 2028. In April, MCA secretary general Chong Sin Woon also stressed the need for decisive action, having given BN more than two years to recalibrate after the last election . Although MCA's sway among the Chinese – who make up about a fifth of Malaysian voters – has greatly diminished in the past two decades, its presence in BN is significant as a symbol of its multicultural nature, and therefore giving it legitimacy to rule over the wide-ranging demographics of the country. BN – including its initial incarnation as the Alliance consisting of Umno, MCA and the Malaysian Indian Congress before expanding to include other parties post-independence in 1957 – ruled the nation for six decades uninterrupted until its shock defeat at the 2018 general election to PH. But defections from PKR triggered a change of government that saw BN returning to power in 2020. The BN coalition has since remained a minority member of the federal administration. Top opposition figures have told ST that informal discussions to woo not just MCA but also the Malaysian Indian Congress out of BN have been ongoing since 2023. In that year, these two parties opted to sit out polls to decide new governments in six states. This came amid a flap over seat allocations, with Umno seemingly negotiating directly with PM Anwar's PH, but leaving its long-term coalition partners out of the talks. Over 100 MCA members quit the party in early 2025 to join the opposition Bersatu, including its former youth secretary general Leong Kim Soon. Shannon Teoh is The Straits Times' bureau chief for Malaysia, where he has reported on various beats since 1998. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Malaysiakini
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Malays need larger table, not big umbrella
COMMENT | Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, you've once again reminded us that Malays must unite under a 'big umbrella.' That they are weak, their future hangs on the hinges of political protection and communal shelter. It's a familiar script, one you've authored for decades. But Mahathir, respectfully, times have changed and so have the people. Let me tell you a different story. A real one. It didn't happen in a marble-floored ministry office or at a political rally. It took place in a regular schoolyard during recess. Two girls - one Malay-Muslim, another Tamil-Hindu - sat side by side. One packet of nasi lemak between them, unwrapped and shared. They ate with their fingers, through mouthfuls of rice and sambal. There were no speeches, no policies, no slogans. Just...
