'Tok Janggut 13 Liang' Worthy Of Being On Silver Screen, Says JKKN Dg

KOTA BHARU, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The 'Tok Janggut 13 Liang' theatre production, adapted from National Laureate S. Othman Kelantan's masterpiece 'Pewira', is worthy of being considered for the silver screen.

This is due to its message of the Malay warrior’s struggle and its strong narrative plot, National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said. 

He said agencies such as National Film Development Corporation (Finas), which may have the funds, could consider producing such a film.

“JKKN itself does not produce films, as its role is more focused on performing arts, which differs from the film industry.

“If the play ‘Mat Kilau’ could be turned into a film, it’s not impossible for the same to happen with 'Tok Janggut 13 Liang',” he told a press conference after attending the play at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) campus in Kubang Kerian last night.

He said the main objective of staging the play is to highlight the struggles of a national figure, while raising awareness of the importance of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty for the sake of race and religion, especially among youths.

“The storyline of this play shows that its goal is to emphasise the Malays’ principles in defending the country’s sovereignty from external threats. The message is clear and not too heavy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jihan Meghaa Ismail, the ‘Tok Janggut 13 Liang’ director, said the play portrays Tok Janggut’s fight against the injustice of the British tax laws, which placed a heavy burden on the people of Kelantan.

He was particularly drawn to the title '13 Liang' because many people are unaware of the real story behind that event, as passed down by Tok Janggut’s descendants.

Jihan said the term ‘13 Liang’ refers to the ‘stab wounds’, highlighting Tok Janggut’s skill in stabbing a British soldier 13 times, adding that this significant detail is a key element she aimed to highlight in the play, which ran for two days in Kelantan on Oct 18 and 19, lasting one hour and 20 minutes.

The production featured a renowned cast, including Datuk Hilal Azman in the lead role as Tok Janggut, and Hasnul Rahmat as the British officer known as 'Lagham Carter'.

-- BERNAMA