Well, not really. But we’re excited by the mere possibility that our new Information, Unity and Culture minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim will debate with former de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim on national TV.

Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim & Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Image sources here and here.

As reported in Bernama, Dr Rais challenged Zaid Ibrahim to a debate over certain allegations made against our current premier, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, on 24 April 2009. Zaid Ibrahim replied later that day with ‘anywhere, any place, any time‘. (*insert big ‘wwoooooooooooo’ from invisible crowd here*) The gauntlet has been thrown down and the challenge accepted. Whether or not this eventuates into anything real remains mere speculation at this point. Moreover, even if the public debate is held, is there any hope that it will include a serious, enlightened discussion on important things like… oh, let’s say, art and culture? Or will it be just another political ‘he-said, (s)he-said?’. If so, I will be sorely dissapointed, considering the two gentlemen in question are supposedly well-known for their intelligence and sensitivity to the importance of culture.

One issue I’m dying to have aired out in the open is the quiet, by-the-dark-of-night manner in which the word ‘Seni/Art’  has been dropped from Dr Rais’ ministry portfolio. In case you weren’t paying attention (admit it, you all come on ARTERI to look at pictures onli, right?), I will direct you back to the first paragraph of this post. Yes, it’s dawning on you now – what was previously Kementrian Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan (Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage) is now Kementrian Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan (Information, Communications and Culture).

Screenshots of the animated .gif banner on KPKK’s website.

‘Art’ (along with brief poster-boy of the moment ‘Unity’) is back to being the bastard child no one wants. Part of me wants to ask Dr Rais ‘hey, what gives?’, and the other part kind of doesn’t care, because neglected children can get away with a whole lot more than most. Art has always flown under the radar. This ‘independence through neglect’ comes at a great cost, however: we must never forget that without art on the national agenda, it is the public at large that loses out in the end.

Anyway, watch this space for updates on the possible Rais VS Zaid bout. Also look out for an upcoming post in which Wong Hoy Cheong unravels the possible meanings and consequences of ‘Art’ being dropped from the ministry name.

What questions would YOU like to ask Dr Rais Yatim?

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