KUALA LUMPUR – Representatives from various racial groups were invited to join in a promotional video for the upcoming George Town Festival 2024, the organisers confirmed amid public backlash over the lack of Malay representation in the clip.
Confirming that the approximately two-minute teaser video has since been removed from all social media platforms, the organisers insisted that every effort was made in the planning and promotion of the festival to ensure an “inclusive, comprehensive and balanced representation”.
In a statement today, the organisers said the event scheduled to take place from July 19 to July 28 in Penang’s capital city will feature eight programmes from Malay individuals and groups.
“The George Town Festival 2024 team will continue to promote the event as a festival which fosters the spirit of goodwill to create a prosperous Malaysian society.
“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any shortcomings, difficulties and misunderstandings… we will humbly strive to make the festival a success.”
In a separate statement today, state-owned George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), which is the main organiser for the event, said it had set performance benchmarks for the festival.
Noting that 53 out of the 80 programmes set to feature in the festival will feature performances from local artists, GTWHI said it had advised the festival’s contractors, Kerson Media Global Sdn Bhd, to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan questioned whether the video is part of a “planned agenda” to portray George Town as only belonging to “certain races”.
Urging the state government to take the matter seriously, the Permatang Pauh MP called for action against relevant parties to ensure the harmony of Penangites.
In a Facebook post, he also reiterated calls for George Town to be renamed as Tanjung Penaga, asserting that since the latter was the original name of the area prior to it being rebranded by the British, the state should not take pride in an identity “given by colonisers”.
Responding to Fawwaz’s call, Penang Heritage Trust former president Khoo Salma Nasution posited a dual-naming approach, as practised by Australia where an Aboriginal name for a geographical location is featured alongside an official English name.
Pointing out that George Town is situated on a cape called Tanjung Penaga, Khoo told Scoop that dialogues will be necessary if such an approach is considered, with discussions to focus on contemplating the legitimacy and cultural resonance of each name in an inclusive way.
“Anyone who is interested in the city’s name and history should be brought into this dialogue.” – July 16, 2024