Post-Script #4: Revisiting a 13-Year-Old Initiative That Shaped Music Education

by Dr. Raja Zulkarnain

“The Post-Script Project revisits selected key moments and stories that shaped my journey with the oud (gambus) from 2003 to 2024. Each reflection offers fresh insights, connecting past experiences to the present, while exploring the oud’s cultural and personal significance.”

Kosmo!2 Rencana Utama, 16 January 2012, by Basir Abu Bakar.

In this post-script, we will look at how 13 years ago an ambitious initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education aimed to reshape how Malaysians engage with music education. The Program Latihan 1 Malaysia (PL1M) was an effort to make practical skills training accessible to people from all walks of life, particularly in arts and music. It was a bold attempt to merge tradition with modernity, introducing the public to instruments that reflected Malaysia’s cultural identity while also embracing contemporary music forms.

As part of this initiative, the National Conservatory of Arts (NCA) became a key player in the teaching and learning of traditional and modern music. By implementing unique and adaptable teaching methodologies, NCA was able to cater to large groups of participants, ensuring that both beginners and advanced learners could benefit from the program. This article explores NCA’s role in PL1M, the challenges faced during the program’s brief run, and the legacy it left behind in Malaysia’s music education landscape.

 

The Formation of NCA and PL1M

The National Conservatory of Arts (NCA) was formed in 2010 to specifically support the Ministry of Higher Education’s College Community initiative, Program Latihan 1 Malaysia (PL1M). This program sought to provide practical skills training to Malaysian citizens, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility for communities across the nation. Targeting youths, housewives, retirees, and others, PL1M aimed to equip participants with new skills to enhance their livelihoods or enrich their personal lives.

Through PL1M, NCA became a platform to deliver structured yet flexible music education. Its curriculum introduced participants to both traditional instruments like the gambus and modern instruments such as the keyboard and guitar. By aligning with PL1M’s vision, NCA helped bring traditional teaching methods into a broader, more accessible context, shaping how Malaysians learned about and appreciated their rich musical heritage.

 

Filling a Gap in Public Gambus Advocacy

Between the last significant media coverage of the gambus in 2008 and this article in 2012, there was a noticeable gap in public advocacy for the instrument. During this period, I was primarily focused on building my teaching portfolio at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA). Developing and refining pedagogical frameworks for gambus and other traditional instruments required much of my attention, leaving little time to promote gambus-related initiatives through public campaigns or interviews.

While this period allowed me to deepen my expertise, particularly in creating fair and adaptable syllabi for gambus education, it also meant that the gambus received limited visibility in public discourse. The introduction of PL1M, however, provided an opportunity to reengage the public with the gambus and other traditional instruments, bridging the gap between cultural preservation and accessible education.

Achievements and Collaborations Under PL1M

Under PL1M, NCA established partnerships with four community colleges—Shah Alam, Selayang, Hulu Langat, and Selandar (Melaka)—to serve as training hubs. These colleges hosted workshops designed to accommodate large groups, offering participants the chance to explore both traditional and contemporary instruments.

Collaboration played a vital role in NCA’s success during this program. Maybank provided its state-of-the-art music studio, enabling participants to learn modern music in a professional setting. Additionally, NCA worked with Yayasan Seni Berdaftar (YSB), led by Toh Puan Mahani Idris, to promote the program and provide resources that enhanced its reach and impact. These partnerships ensured that PL1M could cater to a diverse audience, offering a unique and well-rounded educational experience.

To maintain high standards, NCA hired experienced professionals from the music and education industries as instructors. Their expertise allowed participants to learn effectively, regardless of their prior knowledge or skill level. This structured yet flexible approach enabled participants to engage deeply with Malaysia’s musical traditions while also exploring modern genres.

 

The Short-lived Legacy of PL1M

Despite its promising start, PL1M was discontinued in 2012 after just one year. The Ministry of Higher Education decided not to extend the program, citing difficulties in measuring its long-term impact within such a short timeframe. While the initiative had the potential to create lasting change, its abrupt end left many participants without continued access to music education opportunities.

The end of PL1M also marked the conclusion of NCA’s operations, as its activities were closely tied to the program. This was particularly disheartening given how effectively PL1M introduced Malaysians to both traditional and modern instruments, fostering a newfound appreciation for music education. The program demonstrated the value of community-based initiatives in preserving cultural heritage and promoting artistic expression, making its premature discontinuation all the more unfortunate.

 

A Missed Opportunity for the Future

The success of PL1M, though short-lived, highlighted the importance of making music education accessible to the public. Through its innovative teaching methods and strategic collaborations, NCA set a strong example of how traditional and modern music can coexist in education.

The discontinuation of PL1M represents a missed opportunity to nurture Malaysia’s musical identity while embracing contemporary forms of artistic expression. Reviving similar initiatives could provide future generations with the tools to connect with their heritage, ensuring that instruments like the gambus remain integral to Malaysia’s cultural landscape. -drrz

REFERENCE

Abu Bakar, B. (2012, January 16). Program Latihan 1 Malaysia: Membuka ruang pembelajaran muzik kepada semua. Kosmo!, Kosmo!2, Rencana Utama.