‘One of the best stage productions I have seen in the country’: PM lauds M.Nasir’s Mansur & Liu musical

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim greeting some of the Mansur & Liu’s cast following last night’s performance at Istana Budaya. — Picture courtesy of Icon Entertainment

By Arif Zikri

First Published: Sunday, 20 Sep 2026 9:32 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has nothing but praise for Datuk M.Nasir’s Mansur & Liu musical after attending one of its sessions at the prestigious Istana Budaya last night. 

Attending the two-hour showcase dressed in a dark red baju layang paired with a tanjak, Anwar praised the show as proof of the high standards the country can be proud of. 

“When I speak of economic growth and development, I am talking about cultural empowerment. 

“And tonight, we have proven that there is a local production that has elevated itself to a standard we can truly be proud of.

“I feel this is among the best productions I have seen in the country, and it can certainly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with several others in the world,” he said. 

He also pointed out that support from the government and the private sector is still needed to further elevate the local performing arts scene in the country. 

“I congratulate my friend, M. Nasir, and everyone who made this a success, and I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the capability of local performing arts,” he said. 

When asked yesterday evening about the current political situation—particularly Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s potential stepping down—Anwar gently declined to comment, saying that ‘everything political can wait until tomorrow’.

Anwar on stage alongside cast and crew of Mansur & Liu. — Picture courtesy of Icon Entertainment

The Mansur & Liu musical marks M.Nasir’s first endeavor in producing a musical alongside his wife Datin Marlia Musa. 

It follows the encountering tales between Sultan Mansur Shah from the Malacca sultanate and Princess Liu from the Ming dynasty, heavily inspired by the Sulalatus Salatin (The Malay Annals).

The musical which began running from September 10 and is expected to close on September 20, also boasts a stellar lineup that includes Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz taking up the role of Sultan Mansor Shah paired with newcomer Melinda Dadew as Princess Liu. 

They are joined by other top local acts including Amerul Affendi, Sherry Alhadad, Hazama, Taqim Zaki, Brian Chan, Fadhli Masoot, Anas Ridzuan, Arena Wan, Ruzana Ibrahim, Fiza Thomas, Taufiq Izmir, Marzuki Noh, and Shahrul Mizad. 

Aside from Anwar, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil was also in attendance at last night’s show along with prominent local director and founder of Skop Productions Datuk Yusof Haslam as well as his wife Datin Patimah Ismail.