THE PENANG Malay Association (Pemenang), the nation’s oldest Malay organisation, has hit out at the organisers of the George Town Festival (GTF) for allegedly omitting Malay culture from the series of events that the state will host this month.

Pemenang president Mohd Yussof Latiff said that the 97-year-old association felt slighted after viewing the promotional video that showed Chinese and Indian cultural performances but had left out Malay elements.

The clip has since been removed from the official GTF portal. The festival is now in its 16th edition.

Yussof, an Umno veteran and confidant of former finance minister Tengku Razeleigh Hamzah, said that the promotional clip titled “Here and Now” did not capture the multiethnic nature of Penang, which is a strong focal point of a Madani-led community.

“It is like the organisers have denied the presence of Malays,” said Yusoff in a statement.

There is no denying that the GTF has played a role in promoting George Town as a tourism destination but it is disappointing that it left out Malay culture, which was one of the main catalysts in the unearthing this diverse cultural and arts scene here, he said.

Yusoff said that the Malay community, particularly its cultural performers, see that the organisers were not serious about the role of the community in the arts, culture and heritage elements of George Town.

He said that a member of the association has contacted a senior official of GTF to seek clarification on what had transpired.

The GTF officer allegedly replied that Malay culture does not have any substance to promote, Yussof claimed.

“GTF is not sensitive towards all races in the state and it has actually sabotaged the national unity government’s efforts to promote the Madani societal concept.”

Madani encompasses values of civility and humility in society.

Even the promotional video was in English and Mandarin only, not taking into account that Bahasa Melayu is the official language of the state, said Yussof.

He noted that the clip was shared widely before it was removed following the complaints lodged by the association.

Yussof wants the Penang government and the lead agency in charge of the heritage zone – George Town World Heritage Incorporated – to take responsibility for what had transpired over this year’s GTF proceedings.

Unlike previous years, the 16th edition is confined to about two weeks, running from July 19 until 28, but the organisers have promised many stirring performances to capture the significance of George Town as a Unesco heritage enclave.

State exco for culture, arts and tourism Wong Hon Wai, when contacted, said that the organisers would be issuing a statement today to clarify the matter. – July 16, 2024.