Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his attendance at the recent concert by National Songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza was at the special invitation of the singer and also in support of efforts to promote local arts, heritage and culture.
Commenting on criticism from several quarters over his attendance, Anwar thanked them and said he welcomed their views with an open mind.
“I attended because Siti Nurhaliza and her husband, Datuk K (Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa), really urged me to be there, although I arrived a little late... but some people criticised me, so thank you,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar was responding to a light-hearted remark by Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) about his attendance at the Gema Bumantara Traditional Concert, which was held last Saturday.
The Prime Minister said the performances at the concert by the country’s renowned singer deserved praise for elevating the nation’s cultural heritage through various traditional performance elements.
He said the concert showcased the beauty of Malaysia’s artistic heritage, including wayang kulit (shadow puppetry), traditional dances and cultural performances from Sabah and Sarawak, reflecting the richness of the country’s traditional music heritage.
