SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — Not many works are able to stir the soul of a nation within the performing arts. However, SuperMokh The Muzikal proves that theatre is not merely entertainment, but can kindle the spirit of patriotism.
Staged for two seasons at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, in 2013 and 2014, the production highlights the life story of football legend Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, symbolising courage and love for the nation.
“I play for the badge on my chest” is among the lines that deeply moved audiences at Panggung Sari. It conveys that his fight was not for popularity but for the honour of the country.
“Every time (Datuk) Awie (who portrayed Mokhtar) delivered that line, the audience would rise and get goosebumps,” recalled National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, reflecting on his experience directing the musical.
SuperMokh not only revived the nostalgia for 1970s football but also introduced audiences to one of Asia’s greatest players, known for his on-field prowess.
A touching moment was when audiences brought their children to witness the story of this national hero.
“Many fathers said, ‘This was our hero. He played against England, he scored goals for Malaysia, he helped Harimau Malaya qualify for the 1972 Olympics’.
“(Indirectly), this theatre became a bridge between generations; from fathers to children, from nostalgia to inspiration,” he said.
Hans said that a sense of nationhood flowed through the dialogue and songs. The line, “because I love hearing one cheer, one voice as Malaysians”, reflects the unity of a multiracial nation.
Music adapted by composer Michael Veerapen was paired with dramatic scenes of Mokhtar scoring goals, accompanied by cheers that made the audience feel as if they were in Stadium Merdeka.
An idea sparked by Sultan Sharafuddin
The idea to produce the musical came from the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj's decree, as His Royal Highness wanted to see his close friend's life story brought to life as an inspiration.
The production team later interviewed the late Mokhtar’s family and former teammates, including Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Ann, to ensure the work was sincere and infused with patriotic values.
Hans added that the primary purpose of the production was to pay tribute to a national sports icon who once raised the name of Malaysia and Selangor on the world stage.
“Mokhtar was not only a Malaysian icon, but Selangor’s beloved player. In the gallery museum at Istana Alam Shah, many of his original jerseys and boots are kept by His Royal Highness for the people to see,” he said.
Hans also admitted that directing such a large-scale theatre production was not easy, as it involved a figure deeply cherished by the public and patronised by the Sultan himself.
“(Therefore), we had to ensure that the quality, emotions, and storyline were as truthful as possible to the late Mokhtar’s real life,” he said.
A blend of emotion, technology, and action
SuperMokh is not an ordinary biographical work. It combines artistic elements rarely showcased in Malaysia: live football action, comedy, music, visual technology, and dramatic staging.
Awie as Mokhtar Dahari and Maya Karin as Tengku Zarina successfully revived both characters with deep emotion, while each song was crafted directly from the narrative.
“My team and I wanted to create a new experience. For example, the scene where Mokhtar runs, jumps, and disappears mid-air in the hall — we eventually managed to make that idea a reality,” Hans said.
All elements were meticulously refined to produce an internationally benchmarked production. The dialogue was reviewed line by line to ensure emotional depth and meaning before being transformed into lyrics.
“We wrote the script first, extracted certain lines to become lyrics, then sent them to composer Michael Veerapen to be paired with the melody,” he said.
Warm praise received
All 42 shows across the two seasons, each with a capacity of 1,330 seats, were sold out, proving that the story of a national hero remains close to the hearts of Malaysians.
The most nerve-racking night for Hans was the gala night attended by Sultan Sharafuddin, as he wanted to ensure that the Ruler, the Royal Family, and Mokhtar’s friends were satisfied with the production.
“His Royal Highness rarely gives praise, but after the performance, (the Sultan) simply said ‘good job’ and smiled. When there is no criticism, that alone is meaningful,” he said.
Former national players, including Soh Chin Ann and Santokh Singh, also praised Awie’s performance, describing it as closely mirroring Mokhtar’s movements.
When asked whether he was ready to bring SuperMokh back to the stage, Hans said all decisions lie with the Sultan as the patron, as well as Mokhtar’s family.
“I follow instructions. If His Royal Highness wishes it, of course, I am ready. But the name Mokhtar Dahari does not belong to me; it belongs to society, to Malaysia, to his family.
“If given the mandate or instruction, I would certainly love to revive this theatre,” he said.
* This story was first published in the SelangorKini BM print edition (December 11-17, 2025), free to download here.
