Race, Cultural, Political and Religious impact towards policies on Theatre and Film Production in Malaysia

Abstract

Government policies in Malaysia have long supported a strategy of racial discrimination promoting the interests of Malays over the minority Chinese and Indian ethnic groups. An important aspect of this problem is the repressive government control over cultural and creative production in the country to promote its political agenda of Malay dominance. Many studies have suggested that these biased and authoritarian current policies have stymied the growth of creative industries and cultural practices in the country. This study intends to explore the effects of government policy on creativity in film and theatre production in Peninsular Malaysia. It also examines the ramifications of the nexus between government control and film/theatre production on multiculturalism in the country today.