Atomic Jaya, The Hilarious Saga of The Malaysian Atomic Bomb

What is “Atomic Jaya” and why is it so popular?  Written and directed by Huzir Sulaiman, the play is a wicked satire on what would happen if Malaysia decided to build an atomic bomb. If you know something about life and politics on the other side Causeway, you will appreciate this political parody, especially when you think of the slogan “Malaysia Boleh”! It pokes fun at everything Malaysian, and has reached some notoriety for its satirical incisiveness.

The upcoming production also marks the 15th anniversary of the play that was first staged in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 to rave reviews. Then, it starred Malaysian actress Jo Kukathas, who played all the roles. It was first staged in Singapore in 2001 and again in 2003.  In 2003, Huzir and Claire Wong under Checkpoint Theatre performed it in Singapore and KL, with cameos by Gani Abdul Karim (in Singapore) and Fahmi Fadzil (in KL). For this outing it will star Claire Wong and Karen Tan.

Atomic Jaya has proven so wildly popular with Singapore audiences that playwright Huzir Sulaiman and actress Claire Wong get asked by fans every week when they will bring it back. The real-life husband and wife team has finally relented and has put up a new production this month to appease their longstanding fans - and create new ones!

Huzir Sulaiman, Karen Tan and Claire Wong

Here is a synopsis – which will not give too much away. Why spoil the fun? The physicist, Dr. Mary Yuen, is surreptitiously recruited by the ambitious General Zulkifli for a top-secret national project to build the region's first atomic bomb. But first, they must source for uranium, which seems to be available only through illegal means. As she gets drawn deeper and deeper into the ambitious scheme, she meets a madcap assortment of characters from uranium smugglers to cabinet ministers, and a special canteen lady. As the plot twists, turns and thickens, Dr. Yuen finds herself swept from one hilarious situation to another, while she grapples with a growing moral dilemma.

In Atomic Jaya, Huzir Sulaiman sets his sights on a broad range of targets in Malaysian society. His satirical arrows are aimed not only at the Malaysians but also at American and British journalists and an American Secretary of State. And his barbs are not always politically correct, which adds to the enjoyment. According to Sulaiman, no offence is taken as the play celebrates the craziness of life in Malaysia!

In case you are wondering about the word “Jaya”, it’s a Malay word meaning ‘big success’. Fortunately, there is no successful regional nuclear program in real life but judging by its track history, this re-staging is bound to be a success!

Huzir Sulaiman,

One of the most critically acclaimed dramatists in Southeast Asia, and a 2007 Yale World Fellow, Huzir Sulaiman writes for theatre, film, television and newspapers, and is a consultant on public policy issues for the arts and heritage sectors.

Huzir was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was educated at Princeton University. He now lives in Singapore, where he is a co-founder and Joint Artistic Director of Checkpoint Theatre.

His plays are frequently performed in Malaysia and Singapore and have been presented in Tokyo, Berlin, New York, and London. His work is collected in Eight Plays(Silverfish Books) and his plays - 14 to date - are studied in universities in the region. They range from Atomic Jaya (1998), a classic satire on what would happen if Malaysia decided to construct an atomic bomb, to Cogito (a commission of the 2007 Singapore Arts Festival), a lyrical exploration of grief, memory, and what it means to be human.

Wide Angle, his fortnightly column in Malaysia’s leading English newspaper, The Star, covers diverse topics in culture, politics, and society. He currently teaches playwriting at the National University of Singapore, and is working on a novel.

He may be reached at info@huzirsulaiman.com .