`Help create positive cultural values' call to writers, playwrights

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday called on writers and playwrights to assist in moulding positive cultural values that are more suitable and complementary to the nation's progress. "We admit that there are specific aspects of our culture that prevent development and make us weak," he said, when officiating at the Cultural Palace in Kuala Lumpur last night. These weaknesses need to be identified and replaced with values that can contribute towards national development and preserving Malaysia's civilisation, he said. "Our fine arts must be nurtured so that any exchange of values will not make us lose our identity. "Our arts are not controlled by lust but emotions that…