Penang’s Unique Cultural Heritage To Shine At Malaysia Day Celebration

By Siti Azila Alias

BUTTERWORTH, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Day 2025 celebration at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena this Tuesday promises a captivating opening performance that will highlight the uniqueness of Penang’s cultural diversity.

National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Production and Artistic Development Division assistant director I Aishah Bee Arudin said the performance, titled ‘Rentak Tradisi Pulau Mutiara’, is crafted through the combination of three of the state’s iconic traditional art forms, namely Joget Joghee, Penang Chinese Opera and Boria.

She said it is created specially for this year’s celebration and will be performed by dancers from the JKKN Cultural Troupe, Adikarma Performing Arts Group from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Guru Shri Arul Manikam Indian Dance Group, Penang Teow Chew Opera Association and Budayasar Boria Group.

“It will begin with Joget Joghee which reflects the spirit of social interaction, followed by the melodious tunes of Penang Chinese Opera, showcasing the beauty of the colourful, historical and traditional Peranakan Chinese performing arts.

“This five-minute performance will conclude with Penang Boria, featuring humorous singing and dancing as a symbol of openness and harmony within society,” she told Bernama.

Aishah Bee said the fusion reflects Penang’s multicultural identity, its harmony and its rich artistic heritage.

She said this year’s Malaysia Day celebration will also feature a special 30-minute performance segment based on the theme ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’, presented through a blend of music and dance to highlight the unity of Malaysia’s diverse communities.

“It will be headlined by renowned local artistes representing the five races, namely Ella (Malay), Suki Low (Chinese), Roshini Balachandran (Indian), Rezza Shah (Sarawak) and Dabra Sia (Sabah), with all performances accompanied live by the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra (OTM) from Istana Budaya.

“We are retaining the Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni theme, which conveys nurturing in the context of arts and culture, to showcase the richness of national identity creatively through music and dance performances that foster unity and harmony in society,” she said.

She also said the performances will feature patriotic works as well as popular songs to sustain audience engagement throughout the event, while the selection of songs by local artistes is also important in creating the right mood and ensuring satisfaction for all spectators.

Aishah Bee said this year, JKKN has been entrusted with coordinating the stage performances, which will involve more than 200 dancers and production crew.

She said preparations and rehearsals began last month, with the participating groups identified based on their ability to deliver professional-level performances.

“We made references to previous celebrations, where Malaysia Day has always featured the mandatory element of participation from the five main races. However, the artistes involved, the repertoire and the methods of presentation, including storyline and visual displays, are what will bring a fresh dimension to this year’s celebration in Penang,” she added.

-- BERNAMA