Nadia Brian hopes staging issue “This Is Malaysia” is taken seriously
Kuala Lumpur – Actress Nadia Brian said on Thursday that the controversy surrounding a video of the “This Is Malaysia” theatre performance, which resurfaced on social media, must be taken seriously and used as a lesson…
Source: Harian Metro · September 22, 2026 at 3:02 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Kuala Lumpur – Actress Nadia Brian said on Thursday that the controversy surrounding a video of the “This Is Malaysia” theatre performance, which resurfaced on social media, must be taken seriously and used as a lesson for organisers of local productions.
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The ten‑minute clip, posted online in 2018 to mark Malaysia Day, was accused of containing material that disparaged the institution of the King, the nation and the Rukun Negara. The video has drawn attention from a wide range of parties since it went viral again in recent weeks.
Brian, whose full name is Nadia Najwa Mohamed Rashidi, 35, called for authorities to issue clear guidelines that theatre producers must follow. “When the institution of the King, which is very sensitive, is portrayed, it should be stopped outright,” she said at a press conference for the eight‑episode reality programme Karok Dapur, held at Banglo 289.
“If we want to discuss it, we need the right channels and a different tone rather than openly mocking the constitutional system.” She added, “I hope this does not happen again and it should be taken seriously.”
The actress expressed disappointment that a matter she described as “the most important for Malaysians” was being treated frivolously. “Even though the video is old, our country has laws. When the parties involved mock the monarchy and the struggle to obtain it, it is not a fleeting issue,” she said. “There have been many events, bloodshed, tears and sweat by those who fought for our nation.
They made that video just for entertainment?” Brian said the footage, despite its age, left a lasting impact on her as a citizen.
The controversy follows renewed scrutiny of the performance after the clip was uploaded again in connection with Malaysia Day. No official response from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage or the National Film Development Corporation was included in the source. The next step, according to Brian, is for the relevant authorities to provide a definitive framework to prevent similar incidents in future productions.
Related: Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage · Nadia Brian · Kuala Lumpur