Now a Speakers’ Corner to ‘release tension’
By The New Straits Times
June 3, 2008
Kelantan has set up a Speakers’ Corner like this one in Hyde Park, London, where locals can air their views.
KOTA BARU: The state government yesterday launched its own version of London’s famous Hyde Park Speakers’ Corner.
Kelantan Local Government, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.
Unlike at the speakers’ corner in England, however, speakers here will not enjoy total freedom to express their anger and dissatisfaction on any topic under the sun.
Those intending to speak will have to first obtain permission from the Kota Baru Municipal Council.
State Local Government, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who launched the speakers’ corner yesterday, said the idea came from Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
He said Nik Aziz wanted to offer the people, especially teenagers, a chance to speak up about their views as he felt it would help ease the “internal tension” and “dissatisfaction” within them.
The MB felt the people have little or limited opportunity to express themselves and this creates tension within them.
“Maybe this was the reason why they turned to taking drugs or becoming Mat Rempit.
“Hopefully, by offering a place like this, the people, especially teenagers can release their feelings.
“This is not just a place to air one’s feelings but also a place to display talent. Anyone, young and old, men and women, can come forward but they must first register at a booth to be set up nearby and list out their topics.
“Obviously, there can be no absolute freedom as we have to vet the topics to make sure they don’t touch on sensitive issues which can hurt or offend the community,” he said.
Topics touching on politics and race are a big no-no at the site, which is only operational on Fridays and Saturdays for a few hours in the late afternoon.
Although the local council had set up temporary speakers’ corners in Taman Hijau and the Taman Tunku Anis recreational park, Takiyuddin said it would have a permanent site at the Sultan Mohamad IV stadium here, which will be opened by mid-month.
On another matter, he said Kelantan would start wooing Muslim visitors to come here during the fasting month for an “unforgettable religious experience”.
This is part of the state’s Visit Kelantan Year programme with a target of six million local and foreign visitors.
“We are launching an ‘Ibadat’ month campaign during Ramadan and will offer holiday packages to those keen to experience fasting in Kelantan.
“Here, they can join the local people in attending religious talks, performing special prayers together, especially with Nik Aziz at his mosque in Pulau Melaka. We will work out the details soon,” he said.
He said July and September would see cultural festivals on silat and dikir barat with “mammoth performances” to be held at the state stadium.