The 'Najis Jadi Teman' theatre show was made possible through a blend of theatrical, community, and corporate support. Pictured (from left) are Pusenthi Maniam, Krash Pad Centre Manager Yayasan Chow Kit; Wan Esuriyanti Wan Ahmad, IWK Head of Corporate Communications; singer-actor Atilia Haron; and theater director Razif Hashim, founder of Dapur Wayang. Photo: Bernama
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, national sewerage company Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) will stage a charity play titled Najis Jadi Teman at IWK Eco Park@Pantai Dalam in Kuala Lumpur on June 22.
The performance aims to raise awareness about dirty, difficult, and dangerous (3D) jobs and the often-overlooked workers who perform them.
The one-hour play is directed by actor Razif Hashim, a familiar face in the Malaysian entertainment industry, and features singer-actor Atilia Haron as well as actors Alfred Loh and Phraveen Arikiah in the lead roles. Also in the cast are several children from Yayasan Chow Kit, a non-governmental organisation in Kuala Lumpur.
IWK head of corporate communications Wan Esuriyanti Wan Ahmad said the company is taking a unique approach through "storytelling" to raise public awareness about the importance of sewage treatment while showcasing IWK's milestones in the sewerage industry.
"IWK consistently employs various approaches to educate and raise awareness about the critical importance of sewage treatment in daily life. Therefore, the company feels that theatre is a creative platform that can be utilised to convey our narrative in an entertaining way," she said at a recent press conference in KL.
Wan Esuriyanti said the play’s title was inspired by a short poem she wrote during the pandemic to appreciate the sacrifices of the company's operations team that worked throughout the movement control order period.
"I was touched when I saw my colleagues, especially the operations team who were on the field 24 hours including at the sewage treatment plants while others were confined at home. They even had to wear personal protective gear.
"So the (play’s) title is the best way to explain to the public the true nature of the work we do here. We hope it will raise awareness among the audience,” she added.
Meanwhile, Razif said the play's storytelling will take the audience through the history of the country's sewerage plants and explain how they function. The audience will also be told behind-the-scenes stories that have never been heard before.
"The audience will also be entertained with dances, captivating songs, interactive activities and unique performances," he said.
Tickets for the play, priced at RM100, are available here, starting from May 20. All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Yayasan Chow Kit. - Bernama
