Kuala Lumpur 20 July, 2003 …Artisproactiv, a coalition of artists wishes to express its deep dissatisfaction and concern with DBKL’s announcement that it will no longer issue licenses to the Instant Café Theatre Company for future productions.

This is the most punitive in a series of such decisions made by DKBL in apparent response to a single letter of complaint against the arts community. DBKL’s actions, which often occur after it has granted a license, do not only impact the arts community, but has larger implications for the country as a whole. We urge the Malaysian public and elected representatives to evaluate the importance of the arts industry, and how censorship affects the country’s growth in terms of creativity, democracy and the economy.

As an expression of the many cultures in Malaysia, the arts have enabled the country to establish a strong reputation as multiracial and multicultural– with a balance of both traditional and modern - and an essential foundation of Islam that allows for and respects the practice of other religions.

In 2002, the country recorded RM25.7 billion in tourism receipts. This covers spending on entertainment, shopping, hotels, which also include culture and the arts - visual art, dance, drama, film, music and more. The local visual art industry alone is conservatively estimated at RM50-100 million.

In creative terms, the arts are the arena for artists to develop their skills and thoughts, and thereby mature in their ability to attain significant artistic achievements. Many Malaysian artists have received international recognition, and raised the profile of the country abroad.

The arts industry in Malaysia is currently seen largely in terms of ‘culture’ and ‘unity’. An up-to-date understanding should also consider the economic and creative impact of the arts as an industry in its own right, closely connected to other creative industries such as industrial design graphic design, as well as architecture.

In addition to creativity and the economy, the arts also have a crucial role in terms of the development and practice of the country’s democracy.

Since independence, and in its very Constitution, Malaysia has been built as a multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious environment. Respecting the rights of others to practice their religion and cultural expressions is an essential symbol and reflection of a democracy. When the opportunity to practice and express these is severely limited – such as through ad-hoc and indiscriminate censorship by government bodies, democracy is also severely limited. No country in the world can claim to be the perfect democracy. However, respect for minority voices is an internationally accepted definition of democracy.

As the country looks to determine its own future, we cite the 5th challenge of Vision 2020, which calls for “the establishing of a mature, liberal and tolerant society in which Malaysians of all colour and creed are free to practice and profess their customs, cultures and religious beliefs and yet feel that they belong to one nation”.

DBKL’s actions appear to directly contradict this. Ultimately, censorship limits the development of the country in three vital areas of its successful growth to date – creativity, democracy and the economy. As artists who are grounded in our respective cultural practices, we believe such censorship is harmful, detrimental and dangerous.

We call for an immediate reversal of DBKL’s decision to deny the Instant Café Theatre Company permits for future productions, and a review of censorship of the arts.

The above statement by Artisproactiv is endorsed by the following Individuals and Organzations:

1. Amir Muhamad
2. Anand Kailayapillai
3. Ann James
4. Ann Lee
5. Antares (Kit Leee), Theatre Reviewer
6. Artisproactiv
7. Ashvin Raj
8. Bernard Chauly
9. Bernice Chauly
10. Carmen Nge
11. Cheah Kah Peng
12. Chong Wei Yee
13. Clarissa Lee
14. David Wong Tay Woei
15. Dinesh Nair
16. Eddin Khoo
17. Fahmi Fadzil
18. Five Arts Centre
19. Foo Chiwei
20. Foo May Lyn
21. Hann
22. Henry Chan
23. Himahlini a/p M. Ramalingam
24. Ida Mariana
25. Izlyn Ramli
26. James Lee, Filmaker
27. Jane Chauly
28. Janet Lee
29. Jerome Kugan
30. Junil Jayaratnam
31. Kathy Rowland
32. Kean Wong
33. Khoo Khay Jin
34. Kitrhona Ramday
35. Kuali Works
36. Kubhaer T. Jethwani
37. Leia Aljoffery
38. Lew Marsh
39. Lia Syed
40. Lim Chung Wei
41. Lorna Tee, Freelance Theatre Worker
42. Marion D’Cruz
43. Mark Teh
44. Medaline Chang
45. Navamalar a/p M. Ramalingam
46. Niki Cheong Peck Beng
47. Nizam Zakaria
48. Noreen
49. Pang Khee Teik
50. Patrick Teoh
51. Paul Lau
52. Pete Teo, Musician
53. Pia Zain Azraai
54. Raja Petra Kamaruddin
55. Ray Langenbach
56. Rey Buono
57. Richard Chang
58. Richard Harding
59. Ronnie Liu
60. Saidah Rastam
61. Seow Hsueh Liang
62. Sharaad Kuttan
63. Stephen Chong
64. Susan Lau
65. Susan Loone
66. Suzanne Lazaroo
67. Tasnem Aljoffery
68. Teoh Pei Sze
69. Uma Devi Chandran
70. Wilson Wong
71. Women’s Aid Organization
72. Wong Chin Huat
73. Wong Hoy Cheong
74. Wong Kan Noi
75. Wong Tay Sz
76. www.kakiseni.com
77. Yee Ilann
78. Zarul Albakri
79. Zedeck Siew
80. Mary Cardoza
81. All Women’s Action Movement
82. Lye Kok Loong
83. Eugene Lim
84. Aileen How
85. Elaine Pedley
86. Adam Farouk
87. Mah lee ling
88. Jennifer Yue
89. Zayn Khan
90. Junn Heng
91. Wee Ling Lim
92. Dave Chong Yew Fung
93. Yong Kim Tak

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