KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the Sirih Bertepuk Pinang Menari theatre performance at Auditorium Dewan Bahasa dan Pusaka (DBP) here tonight.
Present were Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Board of Directors chairman Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan and the National Department for Culture and Arts director Mohd Amran Mohd Haris.
Sirih Bertepuk Pinang Menari is one of the famous works of Datuk Noordin Hassan, the seventh National Laureate.
His other famous works are Bukan Lalang Ditiup Angin, Peran, Anak Tanjung, Jangan Bunuh Rama-rama, Cindai, Tiang Seri Tegak Berlima, and Mana Setangginya.
The theatre, directed by Dr Marlenny Deenerwan, involves 47 production members, with 25 of them in the management and creative teams, while the rest are actors including Datuk Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar, Jay Iswazir, Akmal Ahmad, Farhana Fahizam, Eliza Mustafa, Azman Hassan, Haf Dzi Sofi, and Shasha Fairus, who have been in rehearsal since Sept 22.
The story of Sirih Bertepuk Pinang Menari unfolds with Sultan Idris Bistari leaving his kingdom, Indera Mahkota, and entrusting its leadership to his son, Putera Zahiruddin Shah.
Upon his father's departure, Putera Zahiruddin swiftly dismissed Memanda Wazir, citing he was old and that he needed for rest, and appointed a new Wazir in his place.
Meanwhile, Sultan Idris Bistari travelled to Langkapura, a state ruled by Ratu Salbiah.
The state is known for its wealth in gold, but it had been plagued by pirate attacks, resulting in the death of Ratu Salbiah's husband.
Putera Zahiruddin wanted to propose to Puteri Kamaliah, the daughter of Ratu Salbiah.
If his proposal was rejected, he wished for Langkapura to present him with a Sirih Bertepuk Pinang Menari, a symbolic gesture that he did not fully understand.
The phrase was something he had heard from his father before he set sail.