Since 2020, the Covid-19 outbreak has brought a profound impact on the various sectors in Malaysia. Among the worst hit has been the Arts and Culture Sector. Penang, which is known as the country’s Culture City, the Arts and Culture Sector encounters grave challenges.
After two tough years of the pandemic, the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (Penangpac) closed permanently from15th of January as it is no longer financially sustainable. In addition to the event restrictions imposed during the pandemic, the poor immediate outlook and recovery are also one of the key reasons for financial constraints.
The Actors Studio and Eastern Oriental Berhad have mutually agreed to close down the Penangpac after months of discussion. Co-founders Datuk Dr. Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham stated that this decision is hard.
“This was not a decision we took lightly. It is indeed heartbreaking that Penangpac has to close down but we must face the facts and reality. ” Datuk Dr Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham said in a joint statement.
After the news broke out, performers and supporters of Penangpac expressed their heartbreak. Samantha Kuan Zi Yi, a dancer who started performing 11 years ago at Penangpac felt sad about this news because Penangpac is a memorable place that everyone in the art industry gathers together to express art.
Samantha shared her most memorable experience during the Penang Dance Day at Penangpac. She enjoyed performing with a bunch of people at such a wonderful stage and the audience over there was so amazing.
She said that owing to this pandemic, performers lose their passions and motive. Malaysians do not really look up to arts as they think it is something that does not have a future. It is proved that the art is actually very struggling right now because it can be seen that Penangpac is closing down now just because of the pandemic.
“The performing art is on the verge of falling down like it's ready for something that is very vulnerable that is breaking already in Malaysia. This tsunami of this pandemic is making us even in the worst condition.” Samantha added.
Chong Ming Jie from a drama club was regretted that he missed a chance to perform at Penangpac his performance at Penangpac was called off because of the pandemic.
He said that initially his team have a performance at Penangpac last year. They strived to practice starting from March but MCO messed up the plan and sadly they never got the chance to perform again.
However, Chong has given his support before by watching a few performances at Penangpac. He invoked the public to attend various performances to keep afloat the art and cultural industry.
“We can see that the arts are in crisis. Although the government tries to give a hand, the issue is still there. This is a fact that we should accept and what we can do is try our best to support the art and performance.” Chong said.
Pha Khai Ying, the vice president of Chong Yee Chinese Orchestra said that she always keeps an eye on the situation of Penangpac. Her orchestra had an opportunity to perform at Penangpac last year before it closes down. At the moment she knew that Penangpac closes its curtains, she was shocked.
“I am devastated to hear that. We lost a place to perform. It is a true loss for the arts community in Penang.” Pha said.
Pha added that financial instability is always a problem encountered by the art and cultural industry. Malaysians are not looking at creative art as something that they would spend on so the Arts and Culture Sector was always neglected in this pandemic.
She said that the art industry does not get much attention from the public during this pandemic. Compared to other industries, arts have faced especially vulnerable economic challenges in facing the pandemic.
Pha hopes that the dream to further the arts continue to live in everyone’s hearts and there will be a day that Penangpac can make a return.
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