Why artistic freedom needs ‘adab’ and ‘rasa’

The recent controversy surrounding a stage performance mocking the Rukun Negara and demeaning national institutions has once again thrust Malaysia’s cultural fault lines into the public spotlight.

As national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang and religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan rightly pointed out, while freedom of artistic expression is a cherished right, it cannot come at the expense of national harmony, social order, and respect for our foundational institutions.

This incident is a stark reminder of what happens when creators fail to navigate the complex “minefield” of Malaysian multicultural sensitivities.

Beyond the surface: the cultural iceberg

To understand where the performance went wrong, we can look to the anthropological “iceberg model” of culture.

At the top of the iceberg are the visible elements — dress, food, festivals, language, and performing arts. These are easy to see, adopt, and celebrate.

However, submerged beneath the surface lies the vast majority of our cultural framework — deeply held values, social rules, attitudes towards authority, concepts of family, and notions of propriety.

Deeper still is the sacred realm — religious faith, moral obligations, and fundamental institutions such as the Malay Rulers and our national ideology, the Rukun Negara.

The Rukun Negara, proclaimed in 1970 to forge unity following a national crisis, is not merely a pledge to be recited at assemblies. It serves as our collective moral compass and a guide for living in a pluralistic society.

When an artistic work light-heartedly ridicules these sacred pillars, it strikes at the submerged base of the iceberg, causing immediate cultural shock and outrage.

Mind the generational gap

There is an undeniable generational disconnect at play. Older generations — those who lived through the nation’s formative trials — often possess an instinctive awareness of these hidden boundaries. They understand the quiet restraint required to maintain social equilibrium.

In contrast, younger artists operating in the fast-paced, cloud-driven era of TikTok and Instagram frequently prioritise provocative commentary, shock value, and viral appeal.

In doing so, they risk confusing public spaces with boundary-pushing experimentation without considering how their creative pieces will be received by a broader, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational audience.

Before showcasing art in the public domain, directors, writers, and content creators must take the initiative to consult elders, community leaders, and diverse voices. Testing creative concepts across age, ethnicity, and religious backgrounds is not artistic censorship; it is responsible stewardship in a diverse nation.

Anchoring creativity in ‘adab’ and ‘rasa’

In the Malay worldview, social interactions are anchored by essential cultural values that ensure peace and dignity. Creative practitioners would do well to measure their work against these core principles:

Adab: Conducting oneself with courtesy, decorum, and proper propriety towards others.

Hormat: Exercising deep respect for institutions, elders, and diverse belief systems.

Rasa: Intuitive sensitivity to the emotional and cultural feelings of others.

Jaga hati: Being intentionally mindful not to wound or offend the hearts of fellow citizens.

Jaga muka: Preserving the dignity and honour of individuals, communities, and national symbols.

The ultimate goal of adhering to these values is Harmoni — ensuring that our rich diversity remains a source of strength rather than unnecessary friction.

Art should elevate the human spirit, provoke thoughtful reflection, and bring people together. When creators lack “rasa” and ignore “adab”, art degenerates into cheap provocation.

As we navigate an increasingly digital world, Malaysian artists and content creators must remember that true artistic maturity lies not in testing how far one can offend, but in honouring the unspoken boundaries that allow us to live together in peace.

Asma Abdullah is an author, former educator, speaker and interculturalist.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.