Nina Halim

So I was at Suria Elektra last night.

I made a comment (obviously not positive) via Twitter and Facebook about Suria’s new identity and in turn I received some private remarks from friends. Some, I would say, were rather ignorant. “Kau tak sayang periuk nasi ke?” or “You hate them that much huh” or “Kau cari chance eh nak kutuk dorang” etc. I can anticipate more like “Kau tak sayang mulut ke?” or “Here she goes again…”

Rice bowl. First of all, rezeki tu di tangan Tuhan bukan di tangan manusia lain melainkan diri kau sendiri untuk berusaha dan bekerja keras. And clearly, my rice bowl is not situated in the heart of the channel. But let’s say it is, does that mean I cannot give feedback? Or I should be afraid to give some? Would it mean that I have to ikut membabi buta macam tak ada tulang belakang, tak ada pendirian sendiri, tak ada pendapat, faking agreement and flashing the Suria smile to every single thing just so I can be assured of that bit of beras?

I believe (foolishly or not) the channel itself can be graceful when receiving criticism or feedback. To my observation, orang yang benar-benar berkuasa selalunya tak ada hal terima feedback, orang yang tak berkuasa, yang belen-belen tu yang terlebih-lebih macam dia yang kena sengat. A visionary leader usually takes all sorts of criticism in good stride; essential for improvement. I believe a good leader will always see or diligently find that room for improvement. An actor receives criticism, a singer receives them, a director or even a government for that matter. Why not a channel? What kind of a creative environment is that if a channel cannot take criticism? Look at other bigger channels around the world. Criticism comes in daily dosages. Perhaps that’s the very reason why they’re not complacent and easily contented. It’s what you do with the criticism that makes a character. No less for a channel too.

Hate. I think these people got it all wrong. I don’t hate the channel. I don’t hate the Malay industry. In fact, I love the industry that I have to say something. Just like parents who love their kids, they wouldn’t just keep quiet and say nothing if something is not right. I care about it. I want to see it flourish and improve. If I have to be the ‘bad guy’ parent, then so be it. My partner once remarked in retrospect of awan-awan.com going on hiatus, “Perhaps that’s our mistake, we should’ve just gone English”. No way. That is our niche and I want it to remain that way. I have so much of the Malay industry at heart, I insisted awan-awan stays Malay-centric (for the lack of a better word). Walaupun berat yang dipikul dan amat susah nak diperjuangkan, awan-awan.com is my contribution to the Malay industry, whether you see it that way or not. And I have yet to give up. Kalau aku tak sayangkan industri Melayu aku, memang dengan senang aku dengar cakap orang lain perjuangkan industri Inggris. So now, aku nak tanya kalian balik. Apa yang KAU dah lakukan. Appearing more on TV does not necessarily mean you have done more for the industry, thank you very much.

Kutuk. I don’t give baseless comments. Dah kenapa dengan orang Melayu kita? This is not about kutuk-mengutuk. Why is it that people cannot see the positive out of  criticism or feedback. Instead they choose to only see the negative. Orang beri feedback tu untuk kebaikan, tak usah narrow minded sangat.

Anyhow, if I’m not regarded as an industry player, which is your prerogative (maklumlah siapalah hamba), then take my feedback as a viewer. Because then, I wouldn’t have to deal with ignorant retorts.

I meant what I said about the new identity. It’s like going back in time. I don’t think it speaks the brand. It looks cheap and it’s not readable, coming from a design perspective. And what’s with the smiley? Putting aside all the symbolic representation one can possibly come up with to defend it… wouldn’t you say it’s just plain ugly? I don’t think I’m alone in regards to this sentiment.

If you ask me if I felt electrified at the live show. No. Didn’t help when the host kept asking if we were while the answer was a droning ‘yes’ in the theatre. Any sign of electric wave I could feel was only during Ramli Sarip and Siti Nurhaliza’s performance.

I recall PM Lee’s speech and he said something about Suria depicting the true environment of the Malay community, that we wouldn’t be able to get that from programs imported from overseas. I would have to say, not quite, sir. If it was truly depicting the Malay community in Singapore, then it wouldn’t be so stern on use of language like how I’m writing in this particular post and it would’ve been a bilingual channel. But that’s just my opinion and of course, Suria is a Malay channel.

Besides celebrating, I feel it’s also important to reflect. Let’s drop the superficial numbers and really scrutinize. Were there really that many improvements made? Because whatever issues I heard when I was still a child, tagging along at my parents’ rehearsals or coffeeshop talks, the issues are still the same now, 30 years later. From quality of programs to production and talent welfare to budget etc etc. This may not appear to be important but I don’t think I’m the only one affected by the cheap looking commercials in between too.

There’s a lot more feedback I can afford. But I’m getting tired of ranting on a weekend when I should be resting. I leave you this last bit to ponder over. And I bring this up not as a talent, but as someone who was once an AP a decade ago. Maaf cakap la ye, kalau AP  for drama berat punggong dok main game on the mobile while on set, tu apa kejadah tu? Jangan kira senior or not in age la, where’s the basic professionalism? And what’s the use of having 3 APs when the Director still cannot get what he wants on set? Go figure, people.

Related posts:

1. Point & Plot
2. Halal Anonymous
3. Special Delivery
4. To look forward to