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Pesta PUAN-tastic: Women, Art and Activism Reimagine Merdeka

Pesta PUAN-tastic in Kuala Lumpur brought women’s voices, art and activism together to explore Merdeka, freedom, equality, dignity and justice.
4.5 Minutes
Participants of the Pesta Puan-tastic Festival, at GMBB 14-15th August 2026

Held at GMBB Kuala Lumpur on 14 and 15 August 2026, Pesta PUAN-tastic! brought together conversations, creative activities, performances and community spaces to explore women’s contributions to Malaysia and the continuing struggle for freedom, dignity, equality and justice.

Organised by Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia, the two-day festival was held in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Month and National Women’s Day 2026. The programme was open to the public and included panel discussions, film screenings, poetry, workshops, an art exhibition, civil-society booths and a community pop-up market

Rethinking what independence means

Pesta PUAN-tastic! approached Merdeka as more than a historical milestone or annual celebration. 

This approach is reflected in SIS Forum Malaysia’s wider message that true independence must include the ability of every Malaysianto live with dignity, freedom, equality and justice. The festival therefore connected national independence with personal autonomy, social justice and the protection of fundamental rights.

The programme used a variety of formats to make these questions accessible to a broad audience. On the first day, discussions included “Di Sebalik Seragam: Merdeka, Tugas dan Identiti Wanita”, which explored the experiences of women working in uniformed services, and “Suara Perempuan, Suara Keramat!”, where five women activists shared their experiences of advocating for human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and gender equality.

The programme also featured a screening and discussion of the mini-series Pasca Kaseh, which addressed questions of acceptance and prejudice, as well as “Kanvas Kebebasan: Seni, Suara dan Inspirasi Wanita”, a forum on the ways women use art as a space for expression and liberation. The day concluded with “Puisi-puisi Melawan!”, in which eight young writers reflected on identity, freedom and hope.

Yati Kaprawi's art

Art to reimagine freedom

Art was a central part of the festival. The exhibition “Diri Merdeka” by multidisciplinary artist and women’s rights activist Norhayati Kaprawi, better known as Yati Kaprawi, presented 15 artworks exploring national and personal independence.

Yati’s work connects the history of Malaysia’s independence with the personal freedoms women continue to seek in their everyday lives. In interviews reported by Malay Mail and Free Malaysia Today, she described independence not only as the freedom of a nation but also as women’s ability to live without harassment, have time for themselves and move through public spaces safely. She also highlighted the double burden many women carry through paid work and domestic responsibilities.

Around half of the artworks featured prominent Malaysian women, drawing on research by academic, social anthropologist and women’s rights activist Dr Rusaslina Idrus. The exhibition thus also served as a reminder that women’s contributions to the country’s history have not always received sufficient attention in mainstream narratives.

Yati chose printmaking as the medium for the exhibition and also led a block-printing workshop during the festival. Her engagement with printmaking reflects both her interest in learning and sharing artistic techniques and her wish to encourage more women to remain active in the field. Participants could create their own work while contributing to the SIS Forum Malaysia fund. The exhibition and workshop were part of a wider programme of creative activities, including batik painting, zine-making, sewing and cupcake decoration.

Pesta Puan-tastic! committee first day wrap up, on the 14th of August

Alongside the formal programme, visitors could meet organisations at NGO and CSO booths, visit the art exhibition, join workshops and explore community stalls.

Performances also formed part of the programme, including a special appearance by National Laureate Dato’ Dr Zurinah Hassan, traditional musical performances featuring the dizi and erhu, and a rakyat dance performance in the style of joget lambak. These elements placed political discussion alongside literature, music, visual art and popular culture.

FNF Malaysia was represented in the programme through a special address by Katrin Bannach. Her participation reflected FNF Malaysia’s support for spaces that connect human rights, civic participation, gender equality and democratic resilience

By combining activism, art, public discussion and community participation, Pesta PUAN-tastic! offered a multidimensional understanding of Merdeka. It recognised the historical contributions of women while also drawing attention to the freedoms that remain contested in the present.

The festival’s central message was that independence is not complete when it is understood only as a national achievement. It must also be reflected in people’s ability to live safely, speak freely, shape their own identities and participate equally in public life. In this sense, Pesta PUAN-tastic! connected the memory of Malaysia’s past with the continuing work required to build a more inclusive and compassionate future.

Read more of SIS Forum's work with FNF Malaysia here

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