Front Row

When we talk about the death penalty, it is often discussed in numbers, laws, and policy debates. But behind every sentence is a human life, and a ripple effect that reaches families, lawyers, prison officers, and entire communities. At a time when Malaysia has repealed the mandatory death penalty but continues to retain capital punishment in law, questions about justice, humanity, and accountability remain deeply unresolved. Tali Tukang Gantung is a new theatre project presented by the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR), the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) and Amnesty International Malaysia, that draws directly from real interviews with people connected to Malaysia’s death penalty system, bringing their lived experiences to the stage. Joining us to talk about this powerful work are performer Deena Dakshini, who carries these stories in a solo performance, and Janice Ananthan, the show's producer and a Project Officer at the Anti Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN).

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At its heart, Lorong Cermin is a story about people trying to move forward while carrying the weight of the past. Set in a town recovering from a devastating flood, the musical explores strained family ties, unspoken feelings, and the quiet hope that comes with rebuilding. We discuss how the cast brings these emotions to the stage, the challenges of performing in an original musical, and what this story might stir in audiences, with cast members Elysa Lee and Ong Xiao Wen.

Image Credit: klpac

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What happens when identity slips, and the body moves between showing and hiding? Body For Nobody sits in that quiet, in-between space, using movement, sound, and ritual to invite us to slow down and pay attention. Joining me to talk about this new full-length dance work is its creator, choreographer and dancer Ethel Deidre, developed through the REFLEKT Residency by Goethe-Institut Malaysia.

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Opera doesn’t have to be intimidating, and klpac’s Classical For Kids concerts prove it. With floor seating for children, interactive storytelling, and an orchestra up close, families can enjoy Mozart’s The Magic Flute in a fun, relaxed way. Joining us are YiLing Chaing, the Music Director and Founder of Fiamma Opera Studio, and Lee Hai Lin, the concertmaster, to talk about what children and families can expect from this experience.

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Into Still Life is a performance that invites us to slow our pace and notice the quiet relationships between stillness and movement. It looks at how tension, balance, and presence shape our experience of the world. We hear more from the artists behind it, Aiwei Foo and Kent Lee, from the Shaman Tearoom.

Image Credit: Shaman Tearoom

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Audiovisual art can sound a little mysterious if you’ve never encountered it, but TEKKA wants to change that. The festival is making its first appearance in Kuala Lumpur with performances, workshops, and conversations that invite everyone to explore how sound and visuals can interact. Here to guide us through what TEKKA is trying to spark are its Founder and Creative Director, Wee Jia Foong, and Visual Designer and Artist, Syed Muhammad.

Image Credit: klpac/ TEKKA

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Taman Melawati is about to come alive with a very special community festival, one that brings together arts, environment, youth, and neighbourhood spirit. It’s called the Jalinan x Little River Festival 2025, and it’s the first time two grassroots movements are joining forces: Jalinan, a monthly arts and community programme centred on Jalan Negara Kita; and the Little River Festival, a project rooted in nearly eight years of weekly river restoration work along the Klang River. This year’s theme, “From the River to the Streets,” connects Melawati’s recent flooding with the way our everyday behaviour — from waste to development — shapes the health of our rivers and our neighbourhoods. The festival, which is the first Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark Community event organised and led by the community, aims to bring that story to life through workshops, exhibitions, and youth-led activities all across the community. Joining us to share more are Nazura Rahime, who is the co-founder of Jalan Negara Kita, and Kennedy Michael, the founder of Community Action Nexus and Alliance of River Three.

Photo Credit: Nazure Rahime

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There’s a big music exchange happening, one that brings together orchestras, choirs, young musicians, dancers, and composers from both Malaysia and Australia. It’s called Exchange for Peace, and it blends world premieres, children’s choirs, and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man in a celebration of collaboration and hope. Here to share the story behind it, and to give us a peek into what it’s been like building such a large, joyful project, are conductor Kevin Field and co-producer and soprano Nicole Thomson.

Image Credit: Bentley Music Academy/ klpac

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The Shantanand Festival of Arts returns this year with a joyful celebration of music, dance, theatre and storytelling, all brought together under one roof by the Temple of Fine Arts Kuala Lumpur. Now in its 8th edition, the festival has grown into a beloved cultural highlight, drawing audiences from all walks of life. Joining us are Festival Director Dhanya Thurairajah and Co-Music Arranger Hariraam Tingyuan Lam, who are part of the team bringing this year’s festival to life. They share what’s new, what’s exciting, and why you’ll want to mark your calendars for this festival.

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We often hear Yap Ah Loy’s name in our history books, but a new production presented by Opus Harmonia Association and co-organised by the PJ Philharmonic Orchestra Academy is giving his story fresh life, through theatre and symphonic music. It’s Kapitan – The Musical, and we're joined by the creative team behind it - director and book and lyrics writer Chin San Sooi, and composer and music director Lam Siu Chong - to explore the inspiration, the process, and what audiences can expect.

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