MESSAGE

Efforts to document and publish a book on the traditional Malay theatre called Mek Mulung is crucial to raising awareness on and celebrating one of the country’s most valuable heritage arts. I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture (MOTAC) for taking the initiative to empower the tourism and culture sector through the Digital Initiative Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). With various breakthroughs in technology and development, technological advancements in terms of book publication too, are moving at a greater pace. Mek Mulung is one of Kedah’s oldest performing art forms that is thought to have been passed down from generations since the early Kedah civilization. In 2015, the performance has been declared a national heritage as it reflected a unique heritage potential. Efforts to promote and provide Mek Mulung with the proper recognition continue through the nomination submission of UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: In Need of Urgent Safeguarding motion which will be evaluated in the year 2023 From its humble beginnings as a folk theatre, Mek Mulung will now be known to the rest of the world. This cultural documentation reflects our efforts to appreciate this knowledge and to ensure that it continues to be known as an important cultural heritage as well as to be a reference guide to the younger generation This publication also aims to create an added value to support the revitalization of Mek Mulung to greater heights. Aside from the digitalization initiative, this book will be viewed as a comprehensive academic reference that is available in both physical and digital formats. The bilingual advantage will fulfil the need for a diverse audience. I strongly believe that this publication will become a distinct reference source for performing arts and culture enthusiasts both locally and abroad in the future. I would like to congratulate and acknowledge the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) as a department under MOTAC that is consistently committed to the revitalization efforts of our arts and culture. I would also like to thank Universiti Teknologi MARA’s College of Creative Arts as well as UiTM Press for this collaboration. Without effort and support from all our collaborators, this special edition of publication will not be able to be materialized as written evidence to reinforce the long-lasting historical evidence of a nation’s culture that survived in Malaysia to this very day.

Greetings,

YB DATO’ SRI TIONG KING SING

MINISTER OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE MALAYSIA