ASWARA ooooh ASMARA !!!!

It has been over a decade since the establishment of the National Arts Culture 

and Heritage Academy (Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan or 

ASWARA) near Padang Merbok, KL. It objective is to produce creative performers, 

to nurture artistic talent and develop leaders in local arts.

In fact, ASWARA is the only institute of higher learning in Malaysia that provides formal training courses in the arts, culture and heritage to Malaysians.

It plays a sentimental role in giving birthto future scholars, thinkers, writers, motivators and artists who are knowledgeable, professional, resilient and highly capable. The government's effort, especially the Ministry of Information, Communication and Heritage is already paying off.

In tandem with our vision to emerge as a developed nation by the year 2020, education in the arts, culture and heritage is also an important part of the agenda to develop the country. Its is our diversified culture that mends our 'bangsa Malaysia' together.

I have been to ASWARA many times, especially to watch their shows and performances. The students got superb talent. I remember PM Najib was there to watch a show about Tun Razak while former PM Tun Dr Mahathir was there for another show.

Undoubtedly ASWARA has made many great advancements but the government, notably the ministry seem to be neglecting it in some aspects.

ASWARA makes us proud because it is another 'Berkeley' in the country. However, it is sad to note that the academy is being mistreated. I dont know what Datuk Rais Yatim or Sec-Gen Datuk Kamaruddin got to say about this. ASWARA is being treated as a third-class academy despite offering diplomas in about 15 disciplines.

There are about 800 students, only a few of whom stay in the hostel. The rest has to find houses or rooms elsewhere.

About 70 per cent of its students came from Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and other States. They are 'kampung' boys and girls who are willing to go against all odds to attain their dream of becoming professional musicians, singers, orchestra conductors, film producers, choreographers, dancers, etc.

But their welfare is not being taken care off. They are not eligible for a single sen of our PTPTN study loan. Why? Are ASWARA certs and diplomas not recognised by the government and its agencies? Why didnt the ministry do anything about it?

The fees are not cheap either. Most students from the rural areas are poor, so poor that they sometimes have to share or skip meals! Of course, they dont expect much from their parents. They are like beggars when it come to utility and daily needs.

Sorry to say, this 'poor' condition has led to an alarming social problem among some of them, especially those without a place in the hostel. They are forced to to 'anything' for survival, to pay rentals, transportation, meals, mobile phones and others.

Some parents say ASWARA is turning into an ASMARA. I agree!

I hope Rais and his officials take a deeper look into this problem. It belongs to the government. If we cant take care of it, especially the students' welfare, better close it for good. Do not turn the students into destitute and prostitutes.

Unless we want to see sex videos being produced by some of them!


source : http://justread-whatever.blogspot.com

note :
biasa la tu majoriti student adalah anak anak melayu, yang kerajaan rasakan bidang ni tak mendatangkan manafaat, buat mereka,  kerajaan selalu terlepas pandang, terlupa, tak peka, like people say "no other business like show business" yang bidang seni ni adalah antara bidang yang memacu ekonomi negara, kerajaan masih berfikiran ditakuk lama lagi.
Sepatutnya pak menteri yang dah 50 tahun keatasa tu takyah lagi la pegang jawatan, bagi la yang tahu about the related industry, bukan sahaja tahu about music, luv music and knows how to market our music to the next level, dato' rais tu pegang jawatan kebudayaan atau menteri bahasa atau adat2 melayu cukup lah, tak payah la bagi dia pegang portfolio seni ni, kita tengok senator dato' jins shamsudin yang sepatutnya mewakili orang orag seni, membela orang orang seni, menjaga kepentingan industri seni, apa yang telah buat?, dia ada suara diparlimen, tapi tak bersuara, tapi bila dah senang dah dapat semua kemudahan tu, dia lupa, makan gaji buta je....dia sepatutnya menjaga ekonomi kepada industri terutamanya memperbaiki taraf hidup krew krew didalam bidang ini, mendapat pengiktirafan yang sepatutnya, mereka ini lah tulang belakang kepada industri seni, yang mendapat hak yang sepatutnya.
Malaysia ni bab persatuan seni memang banyak, sebut je, Seniman, Karyawan, Papita, Prism, MACP, PPIM, Persatuan Akademi Industri Muzik Malaysia, Gafim, Persatuan Pengarah Filem Malaysia, Profima, Persatuan Penerbit Filem Malaysia, Persatuan Penerbit Televisyen Malaysia, semua semua nak berebut rebut nak jadi ketua persatuan, pasal apa pasal boleh jumpa menteri, boleh mintak macam2 kemudahan, penuhkan poket sendiri je.
Kita tengok iklan diTV sekarang ni, 70% kebanyakan nya bukan dihasilkan oleh produksi tempatan. Dulu sesuatu iklan tu mesti memperolehi kelulusan "Made in Malaysia" atau MIM sebelum ditayangkan distesen TV, sekarang ni tidak, syarikat antarabangsa disini hanya mengambil iklan yang telah dibuat dinegara mereka dan ditayangkan disini, senang banyak.....so macamana syarikat production house dan advertising company nak berkembang...mati woo...