Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has explained that his attendance at the Gema Bumantara Traditional Concert at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last Saturday was not merely to watch national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin perform, but also to support efforts to preserve and promote Malay arts and culture.
He said the concert showcased various elements of Malaysia’s cultural heritage, including shadow puppetry, traditional dances and cultural performances from Sabah and Sarawak.
“Siti is certainly a famous singer, and that night’s concert promoted Malay culture.
“Shadow puppetry, traditional dances and cultural performances from Sabah and Sarawak all showcased the richness of our classical music heritage and Malay culture,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Anwar was responding to an interjection by Mohd Sany Hamzan (Pakatan Harapan-Hulu Langat), who jokingly asked the Prime Minister to invite him along if he attended another concert in the future.
Anwar’s presence at the concert attracted attention after photographs of him wearing a raincoat while watching the performance in the rain went viral on social media.
He added that he had also attended at the request of Siti and her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, better known as Datuk K, who had repeatedly urged him to come.
“Siti and Datuk K really pleaded with me to attend. It is true that I am not particularly keen on it, but I went anyway, although I arrived a little late and was ‘reprimanded’ by several friends,” he said.
Anwar added that some of those who criticised him were among the more religious members of society.
“Thank you to those who reprimanded me, the very pious ones who never listen to songs. I have my weaknesses too, as I enjoy music not only in Malay and English, but also Hindi songs,” he said.
