By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 23: Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, hopes that theatre performances would be expanded to rural areas so that communities outside the city could also experience quality performing arts.
He pointed out that theatre is not just for entertainment but also serves to educate by delivering messages that reflect people’s daily lives, adding that the main challenge faced by theatre groups today is the lack of proper rehearsal spaces.
“God willing, in two more years from now, the performing arts centre being built at the old Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) building will be completed. I am confident that activities such as theatre performances, musicals, and many other stage performances will be more encouraging,” he said.
He said this while attending the performance of a play titled ‘Kasih Padi Bonda’ on Friday night (Aug 22), according to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) news report.
Speaking on the play, Abdullah commended the production team and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) for bringing together experienced actors with the participation of primary and secondary school students.
“This production is not only interesting in terms of performance but also because it involves the youth.
“I admire the combination of veteran actors with primary and secondary school students. Congratulations to this production for successfully delivering the message about a mother’s sacrifice so effectively,” he said.
‘Kasih Padi Bonda’, directed by Rushdi Mornie Daud, left the audience deeply moved with its powerful story of a mother’s sacrifice for her children after the passing of her husband.
The script written by Nooruddin Ismail Talab was staged at the Balai Budaya Cultural Centre, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch, highlighting values of love, perseverance, and resilience that are close to the people.
The ‘Kasih Padi Bonda’ performance proves that the arts remain an effective platform to convey humanitarian values and strengthen cultural heritage.
DBP Sarawak director Dr Azizul Ismail, Sarawak National Registration Department director Mahathir Buang, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit director Abdul Wahab Rahim, Batu Lintang Campus Teacher Education Institute director Dr Abang Ismail Julhi, and Bintang Cahaya Kuching Dramatists’ Association chairman Noor Kartika Rushdi were also present. — DayakDaily
