Narapidana: Play touches on brutality faced by those in custody

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and HiMedia, have come together to stage a theatre play called ‘Narapidana’ in conjunction with Malaysia Day on Sept 16.

HiMedia is a collective of young people trying to make a name for themselves in the local creative industry through independent means.

This performance project is part of the Suaram Activism School (SAS) Form 3 programme, which emphasises field training.

Several representatives of HiMedia who are participants in this programme submitted a proposal to stage a play based on a script titled ‘Narapidana’ - a Malay word for people who have been punished, lost their freedom, or are simply prisoners.

This work is inspired by cases that Suaram has documented.

‘Narapidana’ is aimed at raising public awareness of the issues that occur in custody and revealing the implications of security laws to the public, especially those in violation of the right to trial and the right to justice.

The story is set in Camp Luak Berundang and tells the story of Ahmad, a prisoner who was arrested for helping his friend’s family, who was involved with a militant movement in the Middle East.

Ahmad was locked up and tortured for years in the camp until he was forced to confess. He is stuck between his principles and his longing for his family.

The author of this play is Haire Che Ros, whose first theatre work, ‘Puspita’, was a hit.

‘Narapidana’ director Muhammad Adi Mazdee, better known by his stage name Adiitt Seketika, is a young writer and director who has several plays to his credit, such as ‘Langit Perang’ (2018), ‘Forgive Me’ (2019) and ‘Polis Sentri’ (2019). He also directed two live online performances, ‘Malam Keliwon’ (2020) and ‘Meeting Point’ (2021).

Haire told Malaysiakini that he began writing and researching ‘Narapidana’ in May this year when it was announced that Malaysia was celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri one day before it was stated on the calendar.

“Since I’ve never experienced the atmosphere of imprisonment, it is quite difficult for me to imagine. I took the initiative to read cases that had happened in Malaysia - which I sourced from Suaram.

“I read a book that told the experience of people who had been imprisoned without trial. From there, I summarised what I read with a writer’s imagination,” he said.

Haire said the process took a month, and he then translated what he wrote into a stage play during the haj period in July.

“My biggest hope is that people come to watch with an open heart, with a ‘glass half full’ so that the audience can feel empathy not only for the victims in ‘Narapidana’ but also for other human beings out there. Empathy is a part of human nature that makes the world a better place,” he said.

Director Adiitt called the play timely.

“I think, not only Malaysians but society, in general, needs to be educated about abuse cases, since in reality, it does happen, not only to them (illegal immigrants and foreigners) but also to locals too,” he said.

Adiitt added that the writer had given a voice to those who had their rights taken away from them. “I think it is time to give hope to them, as I believe that is much needed nowadays.”

As a director, he hopes that society will learn and acknowledge the issues the play is putting forth, even though they may not have given it much thought before.

“In addition, this is to raise awareness of the unfair treatment that a prisoner gets in the darkness of the cell,” he said.

‘Narapidana’ will be staged on Sept 16 (8.30pm), Sept 17 (3pm and 8.30pm) and Sept 18 (8.30pm) at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Petaling Jaya.

For tickets and information, go to https://narapidana.peatix.com/.

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