Why artistic freedom needs ‘adab’ and ‘rasa’

Recent controversy surrounding a stage performance mocking Malaysia's founding document, the Rukun Negara, has underscored the importance of artistic freedom while emphasizing the need for sensitivity towards national institutions and cultural values. National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang and religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan highlighted that while the right to express oneself artistically is vital, it must not threaten social harmony or undermine foundational institutions.

The incident illustrates the challenges artists face in navigating Malaysia's multicultural sensitivities.

To comprehend the missteps made, we can employ the anthropological "iceberg model" of culture. The visible aspects include dress, food, festivals, language, and performing arts, which are easily observable and celebrated. However, submerged beneath the surface lies a vast framework of values, social rules, attitudes towards authority, concepts of family, and notions of propriety.

Even deeper is the realm of sacred beliefs, moral obligations, and fundamental institutions like the Malay Rulers and the national ideology, the Rukun Negara. Ridiculing these sacred pillars through art elicits immediate cultural shock and outrage.

Generational differences play a significant role in this cultural clash. Older generations, who lived through Malaysia's formative trials, instinctively recognize these hidden boundaries and maintain social equilibrium through quiet restraint. Conversely, younger artists, immersed in the fast-paced digital era of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, prioritize provocative commentary and shock value over cultural mindfulness.

This often leads to public spaces being used as canvases for experimental creativity without considering the diverse reactions of a multi-ethnic and multi-generational audience.

To avoid cultural misunderstandings, creators must proactively seek input from elders, community leaders, and diverse voices before presenting their art to the public. This is not censorship but responsible stewardship in a nation of diverse backgrounds. In the Malay worldview, social interactions are guided by essential cultural values such as adab (courtesy and propriety), hormat (deep respect for institutions and diverse beliefs), rasa (intuitive sensitivity), jaga hati (mindfulness to avoid offending others), and jaga muka (preserving the dignity and honor of individuals, communities, and national symbols).

The ultimate aim of adhering to these values is to maintain Harmoni, ensuring that Malaysia's rich diversity remains a source of strength rather than friction.

Art should inspire thoughtful reflection, elevate the human spirit, and unite people. When creators overlook "rasa" (sensitivity) and disregard "adab" (courtesy and propriety), their work devolves into mere provocation. In the digital age, Malaysian artists and content creators must recognize that true artistic maturity lies not in pushing boundaries for the sake of offense but in honoring the unspoken cultural boundaries that enable us to coexist peacefully.

Asma Abdullah, an author, former educator, speaker, and interculturalist, emphasizes these points, urging creators to uphold these values for the betterment of Malaysian society.