The clarification given by federal minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today that arts and culture is part of his ministry, is a mere afterthought.
So said former chairman of the board of directors of the National Arts and Culture Academy, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin.
“I find it disappointing as it shows we are still not prioritising arts and culture in Malaysia,” said Mohamed Ghouse.
“Tourism will definitely take precedence, and arts and culture will be subservient.”
Tiong, in a tweet today, said that arts and culture would remain in the same federal ministry as tourism, and that the ministry will continue to be known as the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
The minister said the matter was decided during the first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The clarification from Tiong, however, appears to have been made following backlash from stakeholders in the industry, who had voiced their displeasure after being overlooked by the new government. Tiong was earlier named as tourism minister.
Mohamed Ghouse said this would mean that the bulk of the allocation for the ministry will be channelled to tourism, and not for the development of arts and culture.
“The arts is not just about performances. It is also about developing the aesthetic aspect of our existence and how we relate to each other.
“Thus far, we have only looked at the superficial aspects of dance and culture, with a bit of music combined,” he said.
Ghouse added it would be better if there was a standalone Arts and Culture Ministry.
“We need a separate ministry altogether to look at performances, conservation, and develop the cultural skills and performance to develop a truly vibrant arts scene throughout the country,” he said.
“When (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) was education minister, he discontinued dance and theatre competitions in schools … he was very Islamic then.”
Ghouse added the government should pay heed to the views and grouses of those in the arts and culture scene to understand why they are unhappy.
“Everyone was initially complaining that the arts and culture portfolio did not have a house.
“But now it appears that, while we have a ministry, it is disappointing that the powers that be did not have the foresight to see the bigger picture when it concerned arts and culture,” he added.
