UMPSA staff and students inspired by screening of ‘Mereka Yang Tertewas’

KUANTAN, 13 November 2024 – A group of staff and students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) had the privilege of attending a special screening of the film Mereka Yang Tertewas. 

Directed by Dato’ Zulkeflie M. Osman, the screening was held at Golden Screen Cinemas, Kuantan City Mall, as part of the Tonton Santai program. 

Also present was the Pahang State EXCO for Communication, Multimedia, Youth, Sports, and Non-Governmental Organizations, Yang Berhormat Fadzli Mohamad Kamal.

The event featured key cast members, including Fiza Halim, and the director himself, Dato’ Zulkeflie M. Osman. 

The film, rich in themes of faith and humanity, offers profound life lessons for living as a devout Muslim, emphasizing harmonious relationships within families and communities.

Meilia Ayu Utami, a Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE) student from Indonesia shared her admiration for the film. 

“The story transported me into the lives of Malay communities during the Islamic revival of the late 1970s and early 1980s. 

“The film beautifully highlights the uniqueness of Pahang, showcasing locations like Temerloh, Raub, and Beserah,” she said. 

She also praised the depiction of coastal fishing communities, which accentuated Pahang’s beaches.

Meanwhile, Siti Nur Nazifah, from FTKEE, and Nor Alia Natasha, from the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), expressed their excitement. 

“Watching the film was a delightful experience as we recognized some of the locations and characters portrayed. 

“These are places we’ve visited during our leisure time,” they said.

The two agreed that the film effectively showcased Pahang’s beauty, culture, and lifestyle, positioning it as a medium to promote the state to a broader audience.

 
This sentiment was echoed by YB Fadzli Mohamad Kamal, who praised the film for highlighting Pahang’s locations, indirectly boosting its appeal.

Adapted from a celebrated novel by Hassanuddin, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the film holds special significance for Pahang. 

“The author is a proud native of Pahang, and his work was once featured as a prescribed text for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). 

The novel remains iconic in Malaysian literature,” noted YB Fadzli.

Muhammad Hamka Embong, a Vocational Training Officer at the Center of Advanced TVET, UMPSA reflected on the film’s impactful dialogues. 

“The words of advice and moral guidance delivered by the characters resonated deeply with me. They serve as profound reminders for us to strive as good Muslims,” he remarked.

The film features a stellar cast, including Zaidi Omar, Fiza Halim, Fad Anuar, Sherie Merlis, Adam Shahz, and Mubarak Majid. 

Also present at the screening were Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Munawar Abdul Jalil, Deputy President of Dewan Persuratan Melayu Pahang (DPMP), Tuan Haji Asmui Mustapha, Vice-President of DPMP, and other state leaders.

The initiative to adapt faith-based novels into films is hoped to continue, encouraging more young writers from Pahang to produce meaningful works and achieve recognition at higher levels. 

Dewan Persuratan Melayu Pahang (DPMP) remains a vital resource for aspiring writers seeking to develop and showcase their talents.

By: Jamilah Bebe Mohamad, Centre for Modern Languages
Translated by Hamizah Zahari, Centre for Modern Languages