‘Send Sarawak's cultural troupes abroad for greater exposure'
SARAWAK'S vibrant traditional arts could soon captivate international audiences, as a state deputy minister has suggested sending the state's cultural troupes abroad.
'Our traditional performers have reached international standards and deserve more exposure through overseas performances,' said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
'That is why we have a creative industry portfolio in our ministry – because we recognise the immense talent in Sarawak.
'Sarawak regularly receives invitations from countries such as Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain and the Philippines to present traditional dances abroad.
'It is time to take a more proactive approach in sending cultural troupes to represent the state internationally.'
Snowdan was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2025 in Sibu, Sarawak.
He said showcasing cultural dances such as those from Melanau, Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay and Chinese communities would help promote Sarawak's multicultural identity to global audiences.
'People from abroad are very interested in our traditional dances; it is something they do not see every day.
'Sending our troupes to perform internationally is not just about performance, it is about telling the story of who we are as Sarawakians,' said the Balai Ringin assemblyman.
BCF is an annual event that celebrates the region's cultural diversity through music, dance, food and traditional arts, drawing performers and visitors from across Sarawak and beyond.
The 21st edition, themed 'Rhythm of Borneo', is ongoing until July 12 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang.
Snowdan, who was representing minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the opening ceremony, said BCF not only showcases Sarawak's rich cultural landscape, but also plays a crucial role in preserving it for future generations.
'The festival has become a vital platform where tradition meets modernity and where our younger generation can reconnect with their roots while the world gains a glimpse of Borneo's unique identity.
'It also plays a multifaceted role in promoting tourism, supporting the creative economy and positioning Sibu as a vibrant cultural hub,' said Snowdan.
Highlighting the significance of BCF's 21-year legacy, he lauded the dedication of all who had made the festival a success.
'To reach this milestone is no small feat.
'It reflects the passion, teamwork and unwavering commitment of countless individuals who have nurtured this event over the decades,' said Snowdan.
BCF organising chairman and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley said the council was promoting waste reduction and recycling throughout the festival.
'Visitors are encouraged to dispose of rubbish responsibly using clearly labelled bins for general and recyclable waste,' he said.
'BCF's official mascot 'Engkuli' a clouded leopard, serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to conserve Borneo's biodiversity and to inspire environmental awareness,' he added.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Sarawak Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang, SMC chairman Clarence Ting, and Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Sibu to celebrate National Day with Iban music, dance, and eco-themed costume competitions
Ling says each participating team must comprise at least one dancer, either solo or in a group, and a music team of up to four members using traditional Iban instruments. SIBU (July 26): Kumpulan Sibu D'Tari is organising two traditional-themed competitions, set for staging this Aug 30 in celebration of National Day. The events will be running from 8pm to 11pm at Taman Harmoni Carpark here, with Sibu MP Oscar Ling sponsoring this initiative. The programme will feature a secondary school-level 'betaboh' (Iban traditional music) and 'ngajat' (Iban traditional dance) competition, as well as a primary school-level patriotic and eco-friendly costume showcase. The initiatives seek to instil a sense of cultural pride and raise environmental consciousness among students and the wider community. 'The 'betaboh' and 'ngajat' competition is open to all secondary school students residing in Sibu,' said Ling in a statement. Ling said each participating team must comprise at least one dancer, either solo or in a group, and a music team of up to four members using traditional Iban instruments. Each group would have up to five minutes to perform. 'Registration is limited to the first 10 teams that sign up.' Meanwhile, the costume showcase is open to primary school pupils, with participation capped at 25 entries. Participants are required to design and model costumes inspired by Malaysian culture and unity, with at least 70 per cent of the materials made from recyclable or eco-friendly components. Each participant will have two minutes to present their creation, and prizes will be awarded to the top five. The registration deadline for both events is this Aug 21. Prizes for each of the 'betaboh' and 'ngajat' competitions are RM1,200 for the winner, RM900 for first runner-up, and RM700 for the second runner-up, along with trophies and certificates. The Top 5 contenders of the costume showcase will receive RM300, RM250, RM200, RM150, and RM100, along with trophies and certificates. There are also consolation hampers to be given away. 'Hopefully, these competitions not only encourage a deeper appreciation for traditional heritage, but also foster a sense of pride and identity among the younger generation,' said Ling. He expressed hope that students from all schools in Sibu would participate actively, and that the community would turn up to show support for local young talents. For further details, contact event coordinator Dickiy Zulkalnain on 0111-1264 4200. Kumpulan Sibu D'Tari lead national day oscar ling
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Air Supply concert in Kuching to boost Sarawak' music tourism
Abdul Karim, flanked by Ting (third right) and Snowdan, joins (from left) Samuel, Sherrina, Deborah, and Hii in a photo-call, taken after the launch. — Photo by Henrietta Liza KUCHING (July 25): The upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of legendary soft rock duo, 'Air Supply', set for September, marks another milestone in Sarawak's growing prominence as a premier destination for international live events. Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in officially launching the concert today, highlighted its potential of attracting regional visitors and contributing to the state's tourism economy. 'There will be many who will be coming in, not just from Kuching, but also from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and from Peninsular Malaysia,' he said during the launch at The Spring Mall here. Organised by Twig Events Sdn Bhd, the concert is set to be staged at the Sarawak Blessed Church (SBC) Hall here, this Sept 24, with the curtain-raiser at 8pm. Abdul Karim also noted that increased air connectivity, including the launch of the Pontianak to Kuching route on Sept 12 and existing daily flights from Jakarta and Singapore, should help drive international attendance. He further emphasised the wider economic ripple effects, benefitting Sarawak's hospitality and tourism sectors, and thus, he called for the development of more suitable concert venues across the state. The minister also expressed hope that the state government would invest in larger hosting venues, especially in view of the ongoing construction of the new Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) 2. 'The existing BCCK can only accommodate a 5,000-strong crowd, but the new venue will be able to accommodate almost 10,000 people. Once completed, it will attract even bigger acts,' he said. Twig Events Sdn Bhd director Deborah Tai, meanwhile, said the concerts would be a special experience for Malaysian fans. 'Air Supply has a timeless appeal across all age groups. 'In their 50th anniversary tour, we saw the opportunity to bring something iconic and emotional to Sarawak – a once-in-a-lifetime chance for fans to experience them performing live.' Following Air Supply's concert, Mandapop star Ding Dang is scheduled to perform at Stadium Perpaduan here this Oct 11. 'It's really exciting to see so many artistes showing interest in performing in this beautiful state called Sarawak,' said Deborah. Tickets for both concerts are available for purchase at The Spring Mall, until tomorrow (July 27), with the sales being conducted at the Starbucks entrance between 10am and 10pm daily. Also present at the press conference were the deputy ministers Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting; the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; deputy state secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee, and Twig Events director Samuel Tai. Air Supply concert Kuching lead tourism
The Star
20-07-2025
- The Star
Niche live events could be the way to go for Malaysia
KING of K-pop G-Dragon is back in town this weekend for a much long-awaited concert. While ticket bots and scalpels almost outpriced Malaysian fans from grabbing tickets, many were just relieved that they did not have to fork out extra to trudge over to our southern neighbour to get a glimpse of the former BigBang lead man. In fact, we even have some of our neighbours, including some Singaporeans, travelling to our shores to partake in this ubermensch (superman) gig. Of course, G-Dragon is no Taylor Swift or Beyonce (sorry oppa Ji-yong), but his concert is one of the few we are cashing in on this year. Then there were also the no-Singapore exclusive concerts such as Green Day, who performed only in Malaysia and Indonesia for their South-East Asian leg in February. Next week, we are set to host the first ever international extension of Indonesian indie music extravaganza Pestapora called Latihan Pestapora. A few Malaysian acts will be joining the selected Indonesian stars on stage of this 'training opener' for the upcoming main fest in Jakarta. Our strong sets, however, could be the niche music shows and festivals, as Sarawak's recent Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 shows. Capitalising on Sarawak's rich natural and cultural heritage, the niche world music festival has continued to boost the state's tourism profile and receipts. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, RWMF 2025 saw a rise in family attendance with parents, children and even grandparents sharing the festival experience, from cultural workshops to co-educational spaces. Intergenerational fun. The festival's emerging multigenerational appeal reflects its evolution into a family-friendly celebration rooted in music, learning and connections said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. It has boosted the state's events industry and tourism, contributing to its wider economy. 'Tourism currently contributes 8% to the state's GDP (gross domestic product). This year, the state's tourism earnings exceed RM1bil each month,' Abdul Karim told reporters during a press conference at the festival grounds in the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching. 'When I say tourism receipts, it involves the spillover that goes into the hotels, going into the food and hospitality industry. 'So those that come in for the RMWF, they have to stay somewhere, they have to eat our food, they have to use our transport, and a lot of them are bringing back souvenirs,' he added, highlighting that last year alone, around 294 events were held as part of its strategy to sustain visitor inflows year-round. 'We always look at it holistically. That is why the ministry is prepared to come up with so many events, whether it is music, sports, cultural or food and drink events in the whole of Sarawak.' Noting the rising competition in the regional live music scene, he said the state has been supporting event organisers through seed funding to help lower ticket prices and make local events more accessible. 'That's why you go to RWMF, you just need to pay RM200 plus. Whereas if you go to a concert in Singapore, it would cost you probably RM1,000,' he said. This does not include the more expensive accommodation, food and other expenses. Abdul Karim revealed that although it would be a dream to host big name international acts for mega-sized concerts in Sarawak, the state does not have the venues for them yet. 'Our present venue, our stadium, the most we would be able to cater for is maybe 20,000. The maximum would be 30,000. Our indoor stadium can only cater for 4,000, 5,000. But we are building our second Borneo Convention Centre, which would have a 10,000 capacity. 'It should be ready in two years' time. And I'm very happy to see that the state government is also embarking on its own airline, so that we can have certain target cities and bring in more tourists and stars.' 'So definitely, we would love to see a mega concert here but there are lots of things that we have to put into consideration first. It is also expensive, and we need to make sure we can recoup the investment, at least in the ticket sales,' he said, noting that at the moment Sarawak is focusing more on smaller and niche concerts like jazz, Indonesian music and K-pop, while promoting the state's tourism attractions, especially in nature and adventure tourism. 'But when we organise these events, we have to be responsible. Make sure that the environment, including the local culture, is looked after. 'That's how we look at it. Most of the other music festivals or events that we are organising, whether through cultural support or business events, we communicate that kind of responsible and sustainable outreach,' he stressed. Malaysia definitely has a lot to offer in niche events and local festivals, which the state tourism agencies along with Tourism Malaysia have been promoting while putting the spotlight on the tourism attractions around or near the venues, from the Kota Kinabalu Music and Dance Festival to the Dragon Boat Festival, George Town Festival and Lenggong Tapau Fest. This year, the Tapau Fest 2025 in Lenggong, Perak, will feature Asean arts and cultural performances while showcasing its Unesco listed archaeological heritage and geopark adventures. In time, we might be able to host large music festivals at the country's iconic natural spots, albeit responsibly. And who knows, we could even attract the more environmentally-conscious stars like Coldplay and Massive Attack without having to pay a bomb to secure them or their exclusive rights. It's the rainforest ambience that gives the RWMF its unique feel. — Sarawak Tourism Board As for RWMF, the Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor said the 2026 and 2027 editions will be marquee events in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and the 30th anniversary of the fest. The STB is also looking at organising a Rainforest Cultural Festival during VMY2026. 'It will be good if we could expand RWMF to celebrate these two important milestones. 'But I don't know. 'To move this iconic event to a different venue – out of the cultural village, away from the rainforest – and put it in a stadium, for example, does not make sense to me. It will give it a different feel , a different meaning. "With RWMF, it's the ambience that makes it what it is.'
