~ cInTA suFi~

These past 5 years, anyone who cares to observe the rise and shine of Malaysia’s drama series will not be as shocked when realizing that the trends of the script-writing have been directed towards a more heavier tone on Islamic values. While this is indeed not something that is despicable or improper, such trend is very much risky, especially when we try to observe the effect it leaves on the collective perception of the viewers in Malaysia. Because admit it, the concept of LOVE and ISLAM can never be integrated seamlessly, when the definition of LOVE in those dramas are narrowed down to out-of-wedlock blunt love between two non-muhrim couple. As much as I love to see how mature and Islamic the Malaysian viewers can finally become, and how good it is to see Islamic values are being preached and reminded in every Malay dramas in every TV channels I flip on, the increase in the number of the drama production emphasizing on such values just in truth, indicates several crucial things that reflect what the viewers think.

1. The use of any Islamic terms in the title together with the infamous word CINTA really sort of ‘menghalalkan’ or putting halal label, as well as giving an air of religious authority on the creative product itself. This give a misleading impression to the viewers that everything served before them in that format will always be ‘religiously’ correct and can be emulated. Alas, this is a very powerful psychological tool in turn, because the society will eventually perceive everything presented in this manner to be a right guide for them. In case there are certain facts or religious rulings (hukum) that are inaccurate or misleading, they will most likely be accepted blatantly by the viewers, especially to those who are ignorant (jahil). Heck, looking at the nature of Malays who in majority are not that into research (read: spoonfed lot), this trend will eventually develop these drama series into a ‘trusted religious knowledge database’ at its worst.

2. Take for once, the controversial drama Tahajud Cinta. Look at how it can really affect the way the viewers interpret the message. Like others, drama like this are able to influence the way the viewers perceive Islam. What is dangerous is that this particular drama creatively twists the point of view of the plot itself, in which the story line is presented in a negative way so as to subtly educate the viewers through the ‘this-is-wrong-so-don’t-do-like-this’ approach. In this approach, the antagonists always triumphs over the good characters, until they loses in shame in the ending. This is what Erma Fatima is adopting in Tahajjud Cinta and I applaud her for such creative twist. However she fail to notice one thing – this is a story with a very heavy treatment on controversial, usually-misunderstood islamic issues that are, polygamy and gender equality. After weeks of the screening of the drama, I realize that it is very potent in influencing what the viewers eventually perceive towards these issues, and what I can see, all of the interpretations are negative. This arises because of the nature of the Malaysian viewers themselves which I stated in point 1.In the end, Tahajjud Cinta appears to be demonising the very intrinsic Islamic values, I believe is unintended, when Erma decides to creatively play with the storyline.

Whatever it is, one obvious thing I observed in this industry, all after 20 years of living on Earth, is that there is total lack of out-of-the-box, non-cliched theme other than LOVE when it comes to DRAMA SERIES. I am still waiting for a local product emulating LEVERAGE, THE MENTALIST, LIE TO ME, NCIS, THE CRIMINAL MINDS, EASTWICK, GREY’S ANATOMY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and the list goes on and on. We indeed have a stagnant pool of ideas in Malaysia. But yeah, I can only talk, talk, talk. I wish one day I have the capacity to DO.