Proposal To Rebrand ASWARA as Universiti P. Ramlee Resurfaces

By Norhidayyu Zainal

PETALING JAYA, Feb 10 (Bernama) —More than a decade on, the proposal to rebrand the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) as Universiti P. Ramlee (UPR) has returned to the spotlight, rekindling discussion among arts practitioners amid broader efforts to propel Malaysia’s creative and cultural industries.

First floated around 2015, the idea has yet to be realised, despite its clear objective: to elevate the legacy of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee to the institutional level and preserve him as a central reference point in the nation’s artistic landscape.

For arts lovers, naming the country’s premier arts institution after the National Laureate would be more than a symbolic tribute. It is also seen as a way to build an education ecosystem capable of producing a new generation of creative talents grounded in local identity, particularly as the sector navigates the demands of the digital age.

Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh, chairman of the Klang Valley P. Ramlee Fan Club, said the time has come to turn the long-dormant proposal into reality without further delay.

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“Many renowned universities abroad are named after distinguished figures as recognition of their contributions in specific fields, such as Monash University in Australia and Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia.

“Perhaps it is time we consider the name of a national arts icon as part of recognising the contribution of the arts to the country. This is not about an individual alone, but about ensuring that the legacy continues to be remembered,” he told Bernama after the inaugural annual general meeting of the Klang Valley P. Ramlee Fan Club for the 2026–2028 term, here recently.

The proposal to elevate ASWARA to UPR or Akademi Seni P. Ramlee had previously gained public attention ahead of the 14th General Election and was even included in Barisan Nasional’s manifesto at the time. However, the initiative stalled following a change of government.

Wan Hashim said efforts to revive the proposal would be brought to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for further discussion. He added that the matter would be pursued through the national leadership of the P. Ramlee Fan Club, headed by its president Tan Sri Dr Yusoff Latif, in the near future to secure government attention on the importance of realising the plan.

Meanwhile, Wan Hashim said the Klang Valley chapter of the P. Ramlee Fan Club, established last year, aims to ensure that the late artiste’s legacy continues to be strengthened as a subject of discourse, research and reference for new generations.

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He said the club also seeks to sustain momentum in appreciating the extraordinary contributions of the National Laureate; contributions he described as unparalleled, locally or internationally.

“He was the only truly versatile figure in the arts, encompassing singing, acting, directing, scriptwriting, as well as composing and performing music—five disciplines at once. Even in Hollywood or Bollywood, it would be difficult to find someone like him, which makes him an irreplaceable artistic genius,” he said.

According to Wan Hashim, the club will work in tandem with the national P. Ramlee Fan Club and collaborate with agencies such as Malaysia National Archives and National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) to sustain and preserve the artiste’s legacy.

The club has also forged strategic collaborations with the Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to expand discourse and research on the late icon’s works and ideas.

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Deputy chairman Dr Baharudin Ali Masrom Al Haj said the club’s establishment goes beyond gathering fans; it aims to reintroduce and popularise the thinking and messages embedded in P. Ramlee’s works so they continue to be understood and appreciated by younger generations.

“Musang Berjanggut, for instance, is not merely a comedy; it satirises religious hypocrisy and upholds social justice. Such messages remain highly relevant in today’s society.

“We want young people to see P. Ramlee not just as a nostalgic figure, but as an arts icon who shaped the nation’s cultural identity,” he said.

With around 30 members aged between 35 and 76, the club also plans to organise various programmes at universities and schools, including short theatre performances, singing sessions, quizzes, caricature exhibitions and academic forums inspired by the late maestro’s works.

— BERNAMA