Playing the role of a Teochew 'kangchu'
2011/07/20
by Shamsul Akmal Md Ilias
I was born in Kampung Perigi, Yan, Kedah. I moved to Johor Baru 11 years ago.
I have a younger sister and a younger brother.
Since I was a child, I have been aware that my father, a teacher, was artistically gifted.
He can act, play musical instruments and draw beautiful portraits. I have memories of him drawing portraits from photographs.
On Merdeka Day and other special celebrations, my father, who is now a pensioner, is still being invited to recite poetry.
I guess I inherited some of these gifts from him because I also enjoy reciting poetry and acting.
In the past two years, I have taken part in a poetry reciting competition organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, and another competition on the 50th anniversary of the National Language Campaign where I clinched the top prizes.
Acting comes naturally to me. Over the years, I was involved in local productions and had the honour of being named best actor several times.
In the 7th Johor Baru Arts Festival, the Johor Society for the Performing Arts worked with Alpha Consult and Lee Wushu Arts Theatre to present a musical drama called Bumi Berlantai Permata (Bejewelled Land). It told the story of the beginning of modern Johor in music, dance and drama.
I played the role of one of Johor Baru's founding fathers, Wong Ah Fook. To prepare for this role, some Chinese friends from Lee Wushu coached me in the art of speaking Bahasa Malaysia with a heavy Chinese accent.
It was very challenging but I think I gave a credible portrayal of a Chinese immigrant.
In the revised version, Bumi Berlantai Permata II, staged at the 8th Johor Baru Arts Festival, I was initially cast in the role of Fredrick Weld.
I knew the director, Dean Manas, wanted to give me the experience of playing a new role. But, when we started reading the script, I ended up speaking with a Chinese accent, instead of an English one.
After several attempts, he decided that I should revert to the role of the lead Chinese character.
Rehearsals were tough because the cast were mostly amateurs who had day jobs. We could only get together at night.
Through sheer passion and commitment to the art, we rehearsed our parts, first separately and then together, usually into the early hours of the morning. I suffered from the sleep deprivation but my love for acting drove me on, especially as we would be presenting a gala performance for the Sultan of Johor.
The play, written by Rahimah Muda and directed by Dean Manas with co-direction from Lee Swee Seng and Fairuz Embun, had some interesting revisions. They included a change in the lead Chinese character to Tan Hiok Nee, a Teochew leader.
I accepted the role happily. I thought it was going to be easy since I had already experienced playing the part of a Chinese immigrant. In fact, I thought it, probably, wouldn't be much of a challenge because I had nothing new to learn.
Incidentally, this year's arts fest was organised in collaboration with the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk Committee and a series of supporting events will be held in Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street.
When I realised that my character's name was the same as this road, I was curious and started to research my role.
It was an emotional journey for me as I went on a guided tour of the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum and discovered who my character was.
Finally, I understood that part of Johor's history where prominent kangchu developed the state's economy by planting pepper and gambier.
In 1844, Tan Kee Soon, leader of the Ngee Heng kongsi established the Tan Chu Kang in Kangkar Tebrau with a large group of workers.
He was succeeded by Tan Hiok Nee circa 1864. The society played a major role in settling the unrest in Muar, which helped Temenggong Ibrahim to become the ruler of Johor.
I was filled with awe for Hiok Nee who was probably the only Chinese to be appointed to the office of Major China in Malaya and was a State Council member with a role in government.
When the director told me that my character should speak and sing in Teochew, I was plagued by the worse fears but I also felt challenged to learn something new.
In three days, I picked up this dialect with its strange inflections under the patient tutelage of Tan Chai Puan, director of the Teochew Eight Districts Association and perfected the art of singing in Teochew with the help of my colleague, Lim Kee Yee, senior assistant superintendent of Customs based at Johor Customs Tower.
I didn't think I would be able to do it but the audience applauded at my performance. I attributed my achievement to friends who include Lee Swee Seng, wushu instructor and artistic director of Lee Wushu, who taught me the right posture and Chow Pei Foon, stage manager of Lee Wushu , who helped me hone my Chinese theatrical skills.
I am humbled by the fact that I had the privilege to portray such a great man. I am glad that I have helped the younger generation to be more aware of their proud heritage.
Shamsul Akmal Md Ilias, better known as Suratman, 37, is an award-wining artiste with a passion for the arts. He is an officer in the passenger section of the Customs and Excise Department in Johor Baru.
Interview by Peggy Loh
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