GOVT TO INTRODUCE 1MALAYSIA CULTURAL ROADSHOW

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- The Merdeka 1Malaysia Poetry Recital
would be taken on a roadshow under the 1Malaysia Cultural Roadshow programme,
said Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

He said although it involved costs, his ministry would seek the cooperation
of all state governments for the programme, aimed at uniting the younger
generation of Malaysians through patriotism and the 1Malaysia spirit, could be
achieved.

"We plan to take the Merdeka 1Malaysia Poetry Recital to all the states.
Perhaps we shall call it the 1Malaysia Cultural Roadshow," he said after
watching the Merdeka Spirit 2010: 1Malaysia Generates Transformation poetry
recital at the Kuala Lumpur Ciry Hall auditorium, here, Saturday night.

Also present were his wife Masnah Rais, his deputy Datuk Maglin
D'Cruz, the ministry's secretary-general Kamaruddin Siaraf and
director-general of the Cultural and Arts Department (JKKN) Norliza Rofli.

Rais said the roadshow was important as part of an effort to encourage the
public to appreciate cultural and arts performances like poetry recitals and
traditional dances which would give more meaning to the 1Malaysia concept.


He said the roadshow would be organised together with the public-oriented
cultural programmes organised by the JKKN and Merentas Kampus programme by Radio
Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), a government owned radio and television station.

Rais said the roadshow would not be limited to the Merdeka celebration, but
would be a year-long programme that would be supported by exhibitions and
performances related to 1Malaysia.

On the poetry recital, he said it was interesting as several new elements
like music and movements had been injected into it.

Organised by JKKN, the programme was divided into 10 segments that combined
theatrical elements with music, visuals and others, giving it a fresh look and
feel to meet the tastes of today's intellectual and creative society.

-- BERNAMA