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18 April 2012| last updated at 07:43AM

PERFORMING ARTS: Petronas should preserve arts group

By Arof Ishak, Kuala Lumpur

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I WAS shocked to read that Petronas is going to disband the Petronas Performing Arts Group (Life and Times, April 14 ).

For 22 years, the group has staged vibrant traditional performances highlighting the rich Malay cultural heritage of the country.

We need to recognise that Petronas is a national icon. The public needs to be made aware of Petronas' major plans so that they may provide their views.

I am sure the Petronas Performing Arts Group is close to the hearts of many in the country. So, why the hush-hush plan to disband it?

I urge Petronas to keep the Petronas Performing Arts Group alive for as long as Petronas exists.

Petronas perhaps is the only oil corporation in the world to have such an arts group. Let Petronas be the model for oil corporations in the world to emulate.

The Petronas Performing Arts Group will be a national treasure that will in turn help market Petronas itself worldwide, just as the Sepang circuit has done its job in advertising Petronas.

If Petronas can maintain its Philharmonic Hall, why reject the performing arts group?

We all also talk about "going green", meaning preservation of the environment in all its elements. Does "green" not also include culture -- is that not the environment, too?

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