P Ramlee deserves to be awarded a Tunship

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 -- The Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry is supportive of a proposal that the late P Ramlee (Tan Sri) be awarded a Tunship for his big contribution to the arts.

Deputy Minister Teng Boon Soon said the award would be fitting for P Ramlee, a popular figure with multi-talented skills as an actor, comedian, musician, singer and songwriter.

"P Ramlee won seven awards at the Asian Film Festival in the 50s and 60s for best male actor, best photography, most versatile talent and three comedy awards," he said when winding up debate on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's opening address in Dewan Rakyat here today.

Teng said royalties from P Ramlee's works depended on his contract with Shaw Brothers and that the ministry was studying its status.

Royalties for P Ramlee's songs were being managed by the Music Authors Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP) for distribution to his heirs.
Datuk Ibrahim Ali (INDEPENDENT-Pasir Mas) had proposed that P Ramlee be awarded a tunship for his contributions to the country.

The deputy minister said the families of artistes who died recently like Nasir P Ramlee, Yusni Jaafar and Ed Osmera were given assistance under the aid scheme for artistes.

On racial polarisation, he said the ministry was aware that despite spending lots of money on programmes, unity among the people was at a fragile stage due to the action of some people.
Teng said issues enshrined in the Constitution like racial privileges, new economic policy, monarchy institution and religion should be avoided.

"Malaysians must strive to strengthen unity. Religious organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGO) must also give input to the ministry," he said.

BERNAMA

MN: The creativity and multi talentness of P Ramlee is without any comparision. He is in a class of his own. He is one of Malaysia's National Treasure. As such it is only befitting that he should be awarded a Tunship .