UTM says Ramli’s talk cancelled on instructions from its Islamic Centre

FMT:

UTM says Ramli’s talk cancelled ‘not to offend anyone’

UTM said classical dancer Ramli Ibrahim’s talk was cancelled after reference to the Islamic centre. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia tonight said that a scheduled talk by renowned classical dancer Ramli Ibrahim was cancelled on the advice of its Islamic centre, as the university did not want to “offend any party”.

UTM said the decision was made based on its guideline which stipulates that any cultural and arts programme must be referred to and approved by its Islamic centre.

The centre had advised against holding the talk, citing its “suitability factor”.

“The decision by UTM’s Islamic centre represents the university’s stance, which places great importance on programmes that do not offend any party and balances several aspects including harmony and spirituality,” it said in a statement tonight.

UTM also said that the talk was among the programmes that were lined up for the inaugural “Minggu Seni Tun Razak” arts week.

They went on to apologise to Ramli if the decision to cancel the talk had inconvenienced him.

Earlier today, FMT reported that the virtual talk on how dance transcended race, scheduled to be held today, was cancelled.

kt note: But it couldn't transcend the invincible prejudice and takut-ness of some Malaysia's Islamic authorities, like the UTM Islamic Centre

According to an announcement by the organiser, they were told by the Islamic centre to cancel the event for “certain reasons”.

Ramli said his office, which had been negotiating with the student body of the said university, had informed him of the cancellation yesterday evening.

He however said he wasn’t surprised by the move, adding the “controversy” of a Malay man performing a Hindu dance had always plagued his career.

Related:

World famous Indian classical dancer Ramli Ibrahim puzzled at cancellation of talk on dance, race at varsity

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kt notes:

How a country rejected its OWN culture, history and heritage:

In Malaya's earlier years Mak Yong was very popular in the northern Malayan states like Kelantan and Kedah.

Mak Yong

About 10 years ago (2005), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Mak Yong a "Masterpiece Of The Oral And Intangible Heritage Of Humanity".

The Mak Yong was undeniably one of northern Malaya's richest cultural heritage. But alas in 1991, the PAS state government in Kelantan banned the Mak Yong for un-Islamic elements as well as the female dancers having their heads and arms uncovered.

Mak Yong sweetie

Today it seems to me the Malays have in the majority discarded or abandoned their quintessentially tradisi Melayu to opt for an Arabic culture, as if we live in a mid latitude desert-type environment instead of a low latitude humid tropical country. Hmmm, is it necessary to observe and practice Islam only in an Arabic way?

So leaving aside the Mak Yong and Wayang Kulit, perhaps it's time to ask what has happened to such stuff as the lovely sarong kebaya?

Ironically, the kebaya originated in the royal courts of the Majapahit era when the Javanese nobility adopted Islam as their religion. The kebaya evolved to modify the traditional Javanese women's sexy Kemban (torso wrap, also known as Dhodot) into a modest dress more acceptable to the new religion of Islam.

sexy kemban (or dhodot) with sweet uncovered shoulders

a semi-transparent brocade blouse to cover bare shoulders turned the sexy kemban into an Islam-halal kebaya, and I like it very very much

complete it with a selendang to cover the head and Buotros' your uncle

But today the kebaya, which as mentioned had been ironically evolved to respect Islam, might have become non-halal in Malaysia.

However I believe we needn't worry too much at the potential loss of this beautiful Malay heritage as Chinese Malaysian sweeties love kebaya and will definitely maintain the gorgeous Malay dressing tradition, all complete with beautiful intricate kerongsang and silver or gold belt for the sarong.

photo 'borrowed' for non-commerical republishing from aaronkok.com
(thanks Aaron)

kerongsang is the brooch (usually 3 pieces linked by a delicate chain) to 'pin' the kebaya together (like buttons on a blouse); the brooches were usually of intricate Malayan design like flowers, leaves, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, etc

kerongsang was made of precious metals, usually gold like the one in photo above, or gold inlaid with precious gems

My late mum had a kerongsang of 3 carve jade goldfish joined by a gold chain (probably of less expensive jade as we were a pokkai family)

Before her death, she gave to my cousin sister - sorry, my future sweetie