Tok Janggut 13 Liang Theatre To Showcase Struggle Of Kelantan's Freedom Fighter

KOTA BHARU, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Tok Janggut 13 Liang Theatre, an adaptation of ‘Perwira’ by the late National Laureate S. Othman Kelantan, will be staged in the Main Hall of Universiti Sains Malaysia here for two days starting Oct 18.

The theatre’s director, Jihan Meghaa Ismail, said the production will portray the struggle of Mat Hassan Mat Munas, better known as Tok Janggut, in opposing British injustices, which influenced the Sultan to impose burdensome tax laws in Kelantan.

He said there will be no admission fee for the theatre performance, with the venue able to seat more than 1,000 people.

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“We hope that the public, especially the people of Kelantan, will come to watch this theatre, as it features an exciting and unique storyline about this Malay warrior’s fight to defend his homeland’s sovereignty,” he said during a media conference at Mukim Padang, Engang, here today.

The Tok Janggut theatre stars prominent national actors, including Datuk Hilal Azman in the lead role of Tok Janggut, and Hasnul Rahmat as the British ruler, Langham Carter.

Meanwhile, theatre scriptwriter Noormaziah Yaacob, 56, also known as Lamia Aimal, said she spent nearly two weeks researching the story to ensure her sources were reliable and accurate.

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“We are trying to highlight the story of this warrior because it is the history of the (freedom) struggle in Kelantan and has a connection to the current generation to protect their homeland, race and religion, especially the Malays, to maintain unity and not become divided.

“I am sure this theatre will be well received by audiences because it provides lessons and guidance to all of us to fight together in protecting the country from oppression and foreign colonisation,” she said.

-- BERNAMA