The Malaysia Day 2025 celebration at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena this Tuesday is set to open with a performance designed to showcase Penang’s cultural diversity. According to I Aishah Bee Arudin, assistant director of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Production and Artistic Development Division, the performance, entitled ‘Rentak Tradisi Pulau Mutiara’, combines three iconic traditional art forms from the state: Joget Joghee, Penang Chinese Opera, and Boria.
She stated that this piece has been 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 explained that the fusion reflects Penang’s multicultural identity, harmony, and rich artistic heritage.
This year’s Malaysia Day celebration will also include a 30-minute special performance segment themed ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’, which will blend 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 added that performances will feature patriotic works as well as popular songs to maintain audience engagement, noting that the selection of songs by local artistes is important to set the right mood and ensure satisfaction for all spectators. Aishah Bee further said that JKKN has been tasked this year with coordinating the stage performances, which will involve over 200 dancers and production crew.
Preparations and rehearsals began last month, with participating groups chosen for 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.
