Launch of “SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expression Of Southeast Asian Identity” Exhibition

PETRONAS Chairman, Tan Sri Sidek Hassan delivering his officiating speech.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

And a very good afternoon

Yang Berusaha Puan Zahariah Liza Abdul Rahman, Senior General Manager, Group Strategic Communication, PETRONAS

Yang Berusaha Puan Roshaniza Ilmi Mohd Ali, Director of Galeri PETRONAS

Participating artists and members of the art fraternity,

Members of the Media,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Alhamdulillah, allow me to express utmost gratitude to Allah, The Almighty, for it is with His Kindness, and with His Grace, that we are gathered here today for the launch of Galeri PETRONAS’ latest exhibition titled “SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expressions of Southeast Asian Identity”. The words “SEMANGAT 10” here translates to the collective and united spirits of the 10 ASEAN members.

2. On behalf of PETRONAS and fellow Malaysians, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our guests and friends from across the ASEAN region and beyond, to Kuala Lumpur, as well as to Galeri PETRONAS, located at the PETRONAS Twin Towers. I bid you, Welcome. Selamat Datang. I hope you will enjoy and have a pleasant stay in Malaysia.

3. Galeri PETRONAS is proud and privileged to open its door to the exhibition “SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expressions of Southeast Asian Identity” as a testament to our continued commitment towards fostering mutual understanding and ASEAN community building. Particularly as a platform for the exchange of ideas, information, art and culture.

4. In line with ASEAN’s motto of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”, SEMANGAT 10 Exhibition seeks to enrich the already strong multifaceted relations in ASEAN through arts, facilitated by the many deep rooted commonalities and a strong bond, nurtured through the ages.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expressions of Southeast Asian Identity is also a testament to PETRONAS’s mission to contribute to the well-being of society beyond just economic sedentary. Despite the current challenges in the global oil and gas industry, PETRONAS remains committed to such corporate social responsibility.

6. SEMANGAT 10 showcases 34 selected contemporary artworks from 10 member countries which honours the creative work of some of ASEAN’s most prolific, established and emerging artists. It is a timely opportunity for all of us to celebrate the ASEAN region’s revered landscape, cultural diversity, traditional practices and systems of belief.

7. In promoting the convergence of cultures, the Exhibition showcases artistic creations from 24 artists that underline the bond of kindred solidarity amongst the region’s multiracial, multi religious communities who share common cultural roots stemming from similar communal and regional values inherited through the ages.

8. Inherent within these artworks are varied and complex layers of reading, interpretation and perspectives that link our region’s distant past with the present to create the vision for the Future of greater ASEAN. At the same time, it allows the audience to examine these artworks closely – its relationship to past histories, geography and politics. As you will later see each artwork has a story to tell.

9. Within this philosophy, the Exhibition recognises its humanistic value that can inspire and restore intellectual depth and emotional charge, necessary conditions for cultural legacies to survive in our imaginations.

10. The Exhibition orchestrates a beautiful narrative to honour and respect the cultural geography of the Southeast Asian region as a voice to engage and address the value of communal sustainability from the perspectives of PETRONAS’ own shared values, in all of its manifestations – cohesiveness, integrity, professionalism and loyalty. And in so doing treasuring and preserving our cultural and spiritual traditions.

11. Culture is the most important aspect of our daily lives that needs to be sustained. Through artistic expressions, our cultural heritage resulting from our shared history, rich traditions, rituals, belief and value systems generated through time could be further preserved, recorded and documented through exhibitions such as this.

12. We hope that visitors to SEMANGAT 10 will discover and appreciate the underlying message behind the artworks, that is the sense of identity that stems from the spirit of togetherness among communities of ASEAN. One that allows us to explore our shared traditions and regionally distinctive identity of our cultural landscape with which we stand tall and proud amongst nations of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

13. Since its inception in 1993, Galeri PETRONAS has emerged as a platform for the exchange of ideas, cultures and expertise towards building a vibrant art community and industry in Malaysia. Today, it has become a crucial arts engagement platform for artists and audiences, both locally and abroad.

14. I wish to congratulate Puan Roshaniza Ilmi and the family of Galeri Petronas Guest Writers, Encik Simon Soon and Encik Syed Muhammad Hafiz, who have all worked tirelessly to bring the exhibition to life.

15. I would also like to thank all 24 talented artists for sharing their gift of creative talent, contributing towards another milestone in Galeri PETRONAS’ efforts to promote, develop and preserve ASEAN region’s art heritage. It is my hope that exhibitions like today, will lead to a better appreciation of our artistic traditions across ASEAN countries and that it would continue to inspire new generation of artists to produce innovative fine works of art.

16. A special acknowledgement is due to the various institutions and individuals who have kindly lent us their collection for this exhibition. Many thanks.

17. I want to end by quoting our Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak when officiating the 25th World Economic Forum on ASEAN on 1 June 2016. He said and I quote, “…we also need a transformation of the mind, and we learn to think of ourselves more as ASEAN, act as ASEAN, and then reap the benefits of being ASEAN. Our national identity and interests can co-exist and even compliment ASEAN’s identity and interest”. SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expressions of Southeast Asian Identity I believe is in line with the Prime Minister’s expectation.

18. On that note, and with lafaz ‘Bismillahirahmanirrahim’, it gives me great pleasure to declare the “SEMANGAT 10: Visual Expressions of Southeast Asian Identity” exhibition open.

Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Photos courtesy of PETRONAS Group Strategic Communications.