Tanjung malim: The creative works of the renowned filmmaker Tan Sri P. Ramlee are rich with philosophical insights that remain relevant today and can be utilized to address current moral challenges and social transformations. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Board of Directors member Datuk Seri Ahmad Burak emphasized that P. Ramlee was a societal educator through his art, with each piece delivering sharp social critiques, humanitarian messages, and moral teachings in an engaging yet impactful manner.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad highlighted that dialogues in films like “Anak Bapak” showcase an emphasis on trust and integrity, illustrating the message that once trust is lost, it is hard to regain, thus demonstrating how art can instill values within society. He expressed these views at the launch of the ‘Pemikiran P. Ramlee’ Seminar at the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Campus.
Ahmad, who also serves as the president of Persatuan Alumni Suluh Budiman, noted that P. Ramlee’s works transcend mere entertainment, serving as an educational medium imbued with values of trust, integrity, and national identity formation. Films such as “Bujang Lapok,” “Anakku Sazali,” “Antara Dua Darjat,” and “Tiga Abdul” also emphasize discipline, responsibility, mutual respect, the importance of knowledge, and family ties, aligning with the concept of holistic education encompassing physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual aspects.
He further detailed that the seminar, organized by the Malay Literature Programme at UPSI in collaboration with various associations, aimed to explore educational thought, social criticism, and humanistic philosophy within P. Ramlee’s works.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, president of the Penang P. Ramlee Fan Club, stated that P. Ramlee should be recognized not just as an entertainer but as a societal thinker and educator who subtly infused philosophy, values, and social critique into his art, making it a timeless reference.
He emphasized the importance for the younger generation to comprehend the educational and humanitarian values in P. Ramlee’s works as foundational to building national identity. Latiff also stressed the significance of seminars in uniting scholars and art enthusiasts to foster awareness that art serves as an educational tool.
He expressed the hope that research on P. Ramlee’s thoughts would continue to expand within UPSI and other institutions and be incorporated into teaching materials for arts, language, and education courses.