THE late Tan Sri P. Ramlee is still an icon of unity that can bring people together regardless of race, religion or background.
Deputy National Unity Minister Senator Saraswathy Kandasami said this was proven at the recent six-day P. Ramlee Remembrance Week: Aku Dia dan Lagu event, organised by the National Archives and attended by 10,000 people.
"For the first time, this programme celebrating the legend was done on a large scale in Penang. Activities include a visit to the P. Ramlee Gallery and his birth house, the Pemikiran Sepanjang Riwayatku seminar and the Malam Bulan Di Pagar Bintang appreciation ceremony.
"There was also a lecture at Masjid Abdullah Fahim in Kepala Batas titled 'Berkorban Apa Sahaja' by Datuk Badli Shah Alauddin. He talked about the messages in the films P. Ramlee directed.
"Another event was the Uda dan Dara run and cycling event that saw more than 1,000 participants," she said after closing the remembrance week event in Lebuh Pantai, George Town, Penang, recently.
Saraswathy said the event aimed to recognise and honour P. Ramlee's great contributions to arts and culture.
She said 51 years after his passing, his legacy was still fresh in people's minds.
She said P. Ramlee was recognised as a genius in his field due to his keen observations of society, allowing him to produce works that were close to his heart and transcended time.
"He combined elements from various races in his work. His dialogue touched hearts and were loaded with good social values.
"P. Ramlee's work teaches us about life. The messages in his songs and films are still relevant to Malaysia today."