Culture and the arts under threat


Sutra Foundation chairman Datuk Ramli Ibrahim leads the artistic direction for Spellbound Odissi featuring Young Dancers of Sutra Dance Outreach Programme on Sept 4.

I DETEST the decision to disallow Datuk Ramli Ibrahim (pic) from giving a talk on how dance transcends race.

As an esteemed institution of higher learning, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is sending all the wrong messages. It should uphold academic excellence first and last, and be the bastion of healthy discourse and conversation.Sadly, it allows its Islamic Centre to decide what is appropriate and what is not, and in the case of Ramli, his talk was cancelled so as “not to offend any party”.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Johan Jaafar , Commentary

Next In Columnists

Mindef under the spotlight
When returns inspire in badminton and raise doubts in football
Are top teams in EPL getting weaker or are mid-table sides getting better?
University Malaya leading development of affordable diagnostics and therapeutics for Malaysia and Asean
Medical sovereignty: Malaysia should not automatically accept US FDA approvals
Financing the future: China’s influence on green finance
Rooting out the causes of early release
Who’s afraid of Akmal Salleh?
Anwar’s fast-track reform push starts early
Roar of a paper tiger?

Others Also Read