Nazri: Commotion at Riyadh book fair an isolated incident
Umno minister says Malaysia cannot hold Saudi Arabian government responsible for disruption by one individual.
PETALING JAYA: Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz has brushed aside the commotion which broke out at the Malaysian Pavilion of the Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF) 2017 in Saudi Arabia, describing it as an isolated incident.
In the Thursday incident, a local Arab man suddenly appeared during the Ghazal and Zapin dance performance by 12 students of Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor and began flinging microphones and musical instruments to the floor as a sign of protest.
In commenting on what took place, Nazri said no one should be blamed for the incident except the individual himself.
“It is an isolated incident and the Saudi Arabian government has apologised,” he told FMT today.
“We cannot hold them (Saudi Arabian government) responsible for the actions of one person.”
Bernama reported that the Saudi Arabian government had issued an apology for the commotion, clarifying that it was the act of an individual and that an investigation was underway to identify the culprit.
On whether such an incident would dampen relations between the two countries, Nazri said this was highly unlikely.
“The ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are very strong and such an incident should not affect our relations,” he said.
One of the students, Aizat Azhar, 17, said although he was shocked when the man snatched the “gambus” he was playing and flung it to the floor, he was determined to keep performing and promoting Malaysian culture to the world.
Another student, Osama Yamani Jamal Ubaidillah, 16, also said the incident had somehow made the students more determined to continue performing.
Commenting on how the students reacted positively to the incident, Nazri said, “I’m proud of our young students. Their reaction (to the commotion) showed the spirit of Malaysia as they were not bothered by this and continued to honour their agreement to perform till the end.”
The Ghazal and Zapin dance performance is being showcased at the Malaysian Pavilion of the ongoing RIBF at the request of the Saudi Arabian government, which views the arts as a branch of knowledge that supports the development of human civilisation.
Nazri meanwhile is currently on a working visit in Berlin and is expected to return to Malaysia tomorrow afternoon.
Chaos erupts at Malaysian dance performance in Riyadh
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