Queen Attends Royal Operetta: Raja Dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada

SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, attended the Royal Operetta: Raja dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada (The King and the People Are Inseparable) at the Seri Budiman Concert Hall, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, tonight.

Her Majesty arrived at about 8.15 pm and was received by UiTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Shahrin Sahib@ Sahibuddin.

Also present were Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who is also UiTM Pro-Chancellor, and Perak Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was also present at the event.

The production, organised by KIRRM, CTRA Production, the Selangor Theatre Council (MTS) and the Malaysian Theatre Association (PTM), highlights the history of the Malay Rulers through stories and historical events.

The performance, which lasted about an hour, involved 70 participants, including performing arts practitioners, UiTM students and students from the Institute of Teacher Education's Ilmu Khas Campus.

Its scriptwriter, Datuk Seri Prof Emeritus Dr Awang Sariyan, who is also chairman of KIRRM, said the stories were drawn from historical sources, including Sejarah Melayu, to make the nation's history more accessible to younger generations.

Among the episodes highlighted was the pact between Sang Sapurba and Demang Lebar Daun, which is an important part of Malay political tradition.

The production also portrayed the killing of J.W.W. Birch in Pasir Salak, Perak, following resistance by the Malays to British colonial rule.

Other works featured included Permainan Apakah Ini, Waad Antara Raja dan Wakil Rakyat, Madah Jebat Ketika Rebah di Pangkuan Tuah, Nasib Warisan Mulia Bangsa and Pasir Salak Darah Menggelegak.

Awang Sariyan said the production aimed to highlight authentic historical narratives so that future generations could better understand and appreciate the nation's heritage.

-- BERNAMA