Aliran condemns Kuala Lumpur City Hall's high-handed decision not to issue any further performing licences to the Instant Café Theatre Company (ICT) after the political satire group refused to revise the script of its sell-out show. The censorship attempt on 'The 2nd First Annual Bolehwood Awards 2003 - The Director's Cut', a satirical performance, is a blow for artistic freedom and the flowering of the arts and culture in the country.

City Hall, staffed by Barisan Nasional political appointees, seems to be no longer focussing on providing services to the public. Instead, it appears to be acting on the whims and fancies of ruling coalition politicians to suppress freedom of expression and assembly.

What is the rationale for this abominable abuse of power? There have been numerous other public complaints about City Hall's shoddiness and inefficiency but these have not been acted upon with the same speed. Neither has City Hall disciplined its staff who have failed to live up to public expectations.

It is appalling that a single complaint from a newspaper reader - who sounds more like a ruling coalition supporter with a closed mind and no sense of humour - has prompted the council to act against Instant Café. But what about the thousands of other satisfied Malaysians who thronged Instant Café's sell-out shows for ten days from 8 July 2003? Since they did not complain, surely the show should be viewed positively.

Instant Café are an accomplished group of performers who portray Malaysian life satirically. They force us to look at ourselves and laugh at our idiosyncrasies and weaknesses; they educate us on current issues in a hilarious way. Instead of being thankful, City Hall tries to suppress such informal education and artistic expression.

City Hall, whose councillors are un-elected and unaccountable to the public, cannot claim to be our moral guardians. What was it in the script that was deemed to be so "sensitive"? What did City Hall public relations officer Sarifuddin Ibrahim mean when he advised Instant Café to conduct its performance in a more "ethical and decent manner and not to cause uneasiness to the public"? What uneasiness? Who is feeling uneasy?

Aliran dismisses City Hall's views as myopic, irrelevant and totally without merit. We challenge City Hall to air this show on television so that the entire citizenry can watch and give their verdict. To demand that five elements be eliminated from the script is silly and ridiculous and would leave nothing left to perform. It is tantamount to rewriting the script. It is an insult to the intelligence of the playwright and the entire cast as well as to mature Malaysians who have flocked to the shows. Why must government policies and agencies be beyond criticism and satire? Has this anything to do with the general election around the corner, leading to "uneasiness" on the part of the government about critical performances?

Aliran has the highest regard for Instant Café for their professionalism, creative talent and keen insight into the nation's affairs. They have been performing hilarious but politically pointed acts all these years without any apparent problem. Instant Café performers have graced functions organised by the government, the Bar Council and numerous other groups. Until now, nobody we know has accused them of profanity and of being insensitive. Two months ago, they performed at Aliran's 25th anniversary and received a well-deserved round of hearty applause from the audience. Not a single complaint was heard.

Aliran demands that City Hall respects Instant Café's right to freedom of artistic expression and restores its performing licence.

Aliran Executive Committee
18 July 2003