By Norrasyidah Arshad
PETALING JAYA, July 14 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari met with activists from the arts scene earlier today, including seven National Laureates.
They included Datuk Seri A Samad Said, Prof Emeritus Muhammad Haji Salleh, Datuk Anwar Ridhwan, Datuk Baha Zain, Datuk Zurinah Hassan, Prof Datuk Siti Zainon Ismail dan Datuk Rahman Shaari.
Via the Pemukiman Sasterawan dan Karyawan programme in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS), he spent time listening to all the activists’ suggestions to develop the arts in the state.
Some of the suggestions include granting scholarships to art students, steps to elevate the prestige of Selangor’s arts on the world stage, the provision of special allowances for artists, and the construction of art centres.
“All the suggestions will be refined. I have been involved in the arts and culture back when I was appointed a state executive councillor (from 2014 to 2018) but at the time, we did not have the facilities to implement such suggestions.
“Now we have PPAS, so we can develop the content of literature and culture. We can organise community programmes and implement policies to further enhance art activities,” Amirudin said.
The Menteri Besar added the meeting today will be followed by action and a comprehensive plan to ensure the goals are met.
“I hope to continue cooperating and further develop literature and arts in both Selangor and Malaysia. This can serve as a new catalyst for society’s culture,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the state government is also prepared to continue providing funds to the Laureates to republish popular texts.
He said the initiative was formerly carried out in 2018 but had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This allocation will enable the republishing of the Laureates’ important works. In 2018 we provided it to Datuk Anwar Ridhwan, which took two years to complete. We will refocus it, either this year or the next.
“This matter will be reviewed and rediscussed, and perhaps the allocation’s total costs will be increased to RM200,000 as needed,” Amirudin said.
He said to further elevate art and literature, the state government will organise training classes involving well-known artists as instructors.
“This is a long-term solution arranged by PPAS. We have a specific library that can be used as a training centre.
“The artists will be paid so they can develop new knowledge and talent. Once a certain level is achieved, we will also look to publish the participants’ works,” Amirudin said.
