Indie vibes take centre stage in KromaKuning's Sarawak Day tribute in Kuching
KUCHING (July 28): Over 50 people gathered at Khemah Café, Jalan Dagok Timur here to celebrate this year's Sarawak Day in an alternative and independent spirit.
Themed 'KHEMAH I.N.D.I.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.C.E DAY', the programme was jointly organised by KolabBasi: Kumpulan Tidak Konsistan (KromaKuning) and Khemah Café, spotlighting the independent music scene and alternative artistic expression, offering a grassroots platform for the local voices.
'We built this event with the true spirit of independence; not just nostalgia, but the freedom to be yourself, to speak out, and to feel accepted without having to follow industry formulas.
'And most importantly, we did this with our own hands, for ourselves,' a KromaKuning spokesperson told The Borneo Post.
The night featured performances by five independent acts, starting with a soulful R&B showcase by Dayangmu.
Coming up next was Lydbie, who delivered introspective, melancholic pieces that resonated with the audience. Akmal Kamisly followed up with a solo set before being joined by Dayangmu for a duet.
Wan Purong added humour and interactive energy to the evening, while Adruce Azman closed the event with a series of original songs that blended folk and jazz.
His set began with a heartfelt rendition of 'Ibu Pertiwiku', paying tribute to Sarawak Day.
Beyond the music, the event also included a digital campaign titled 'Follow & Freebie', which boosted online engagements.
Attendees who followed the organisers' Instagram accounts (@kromakuning and @khemah.cafe) received exclusive merchandise items, including limited edition stickers and customised design pieces.
Those dressed in a 'camping vibes' theme received special drink promotions, further enhancing the laid-back and free-spirited atmosphere.
'This event is not just entertainment, but a manifestation of alternative voices that rarely find space in the mainstream.
'Through an open and community-driven format, we've created space for new talent to shine,' added the KromaKuning spokesperson.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing it as 'a fresh breeze' in the Sarawak Day celebration scene.
KromaKuning expressed hope of making the camp-themed gathering an annual event, continuing the open mic sessions and alternative art programmes.
'We would also welcome collaborations with other groups in promoting independent culture and community arts,' said the spokesperson.
KolabBasi is an independent art collective led by KromaKuning, engaging Sarawakians in music, visual arts, writing, and community activism.
Known as the Kumpulan Tidak Konsistan, the group operates informally but consistently to champion a space for alternative expression in Borneo.
Khemah Café, known for its tropical camping-themed décor, continues to serve as a hub for creative gatherings, including photo exhibitions, poetry readings, book discussions, and acoustic shows.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Kindness is the new superpower
ALRIGHT, listen up, my dearies – Makcik is about to serve you a hot pot of truth, simmered with sass, marinated in empathy and seasoned with just enough cili padi to make your soul itch. We are talking about bullying – in schools, offices, family WhatsApp groups, even in the JPN queue where someone cuts in like their nenek sponsored the tiles. Let's be clear: bullying is not 'normal' and it is not 'part of growing up'. It is not some 'rite of passage' where you come out stronger, wiser and with a six-pack of character. Please-lah. If bullying really built character, half of us would be walking around with Nobel Prizes and emotional abs. The school jungle: Where empathy goes to die In school, you would think children are learning algebra, sejarah and how to dodge flying erasers. But nowadays, some are also majoring in advanced psychological torture. You have 12-year-olds plotting emotional takedowns better than telenovela villains. Poor Alia just wants to eat her sandwich in peace but noooo – here comes some pint-sized dictator asking her: 'Eh, why you so fat-ah? Later the chair patah!' Excuse me Diana, if her sitting breaks the chair, your IQ breaks the floor. Bullying used to need a playground. Now all it needs is WiFi and bad manners. Instagram captions throwing jabs, group chats full of silent judgement and TikToks that try too hard. Honestly, Makcik thinks some of them need less screen time and more soul time. Where are the adults, you ask? Oh, just casually saying, 'Kids will be kids'. No, Cikgu Rosmah, kids will be monsters if we don't teach them otherwise. You want empathy in schools? Start by banning those tired phrases like 'man up' or 'stop crying like a girl'. And while you are at it, remove every motivational poster that says 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' because, darling, some people are barely surviving, not levelling up in a video game. You want a real value-add curriculum? Teach kids how to say sorry properly, how to stand up for someone without needing applause and how to ask 'Are you okay?' without making it sound like gossip foreplay. Corporate life: Where bullies wear blazers and toss you under the bus – with a smile Meet Corporate Karen, queen of condescension. She doesn't yell – no. She uses that sweet, syrupy fake concern: 'Just worried about your workload. You seem... overwhelmed.' Meanwhile, she is forwarding your typo to the entire department and tagging it as #JustSaying. Or that Boss Bully who thinks empathy is a luxury item, like truffle oil. Instead, they operate on fear, deadlines and the ancient leadership mantra: 'I suffered, so you must too.' Bravo, Encik Dino. That is not leadership, that is just generational trauma with a swivel chair. And please-lah, spare us the recycled HR drama: 'We take bullying seriously.' Oh, really? Then why is the bully still sitting pretty with a new title, flexing in meetings like they own the company while the actual victim gets downgraded to a desk next to the toilet – complete with leaking pipe, broken fan and that one lizard that refuses to die? Don't insult our intelligence. This is not a drama on TV3; this is real life where victims eat lunch alone in the surau corridor and the bully gets invited to makan-makan with upper management like they are some sort of national treasure. Stop gaslighting people with your policies and posters. No one feels safe, everyone is traumatised and the pantry microwave still does not work. You want real change? Start by moving the bully, not the person crying into their sambal ikan bilis sandwich during lunch break. You want a productive, thriving team? One word: empathy. You want loyalty, motivation, people showing up before 9am without caffeine rage? Again, empathy. Empathy means seeing your colleague as a human, not just a cog in your KPI machine. It means asking 'How are you?' and actually bracing for an honest answer, not praying they say 'fine' so you can go back to pretending to work on your spreadsheet. Bullies don't need power; they need therapy You know what is wild? Most bullies are just emotionally constipated people with too much time and too little soul-searching. They don't need a promotion; they need a hug, a mirror and maybe five years of therapy with someone who charges by the hour and does not tolerate nonsense. You want to end bullying? Stop treating it like a personality quirk: 'Oh, that is just how he is.' No, Aunty Margaret, how he is... is a problem. Start calling it what it is: emotional violence. Not drama. Not boys-being-boys. Not 'she's too sensitive'. If anything, being sensitive is a strength. You know what is easy? Insulting someone. You know what is hard? Actually feeling their pain and choosing not to add to it. Empathy is bada**, okay? It is gangster in the best way. It is walking into a room and making people feel safe, not scared. It is the opposite of power-tripping; it is power-sharing. And best of all? It never goes out of style. Makcik's final sermon (before my teh tarik gets cold) To all the students, workers, bosses, teachers, uncles, aunties, baristas and rogue WhatsApp admins – choose empathy. Not because it is soft but because it is strong. Because it is the only thing that makes life less of a battleground and more of a community. And to all the bullies, past and present – may your nasi lemak always come with soggy cucumbers and sambal that doesn't pedas. May your WiFi lag at 98% download. May your Tupperware always go missing and your slippers mysteriously switch feet outside the surau. You don't scare us anymore. We see through your nonsense. And we are coming for you with the full might of emotionally intelligent, gloriously kind humans who refuse to let cruelty be normal. So go forth anak-anak and aunties of the world. Sprinkle empathy like MSG. Be loud with your kindness. Be gloriously, unashamedly compassionate because in a world full of bullies, being soft is the new superpower. Sekian, Makcik logging out with a side-eye that could curdle susu pekat, a glare that's HR-proof and a hot flash that puts any corporate gaslighting to shame.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Chinese actress Zhao Lusi accuses agency of wage theft, threats
Zhao Lusi accused her management made an unauthorised withdrawal of RM1.2mil from her personal studio's account. Photo: Zhao Lusi/Instagram Popular Chinese actress Zhao Lusi has engaged in a war of words with her management agency Galaxy Cool Entertainment on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The 26-year-old, who shot to fame with period dramas such as The Romance Of Tiger And Rose (2020) and Love Like The Galaxy (2022), accused Galaxy Cool Entertainment of an unauthorised withdrawal of 2.05 million yuan (RM1.2mil) from her personal studio's account. She alleged the agency left her to shoulder financial burdens alone despite agreeing to take responsibility for cancelled endorsements, during the period in 2024 when she was seeking treatment for several health issues and depression. The 1.61m-tall actress' physical and mental condition took a toll due to overwork and, once, she weighed just 36kg. Photos of her in a wheelchair were also circulated on social media in December 2024. Zhao lost her ability to speak at one point. She also suffered from frequent episodes of nausea and dizziness, and joint pains. Her lengthy posts in Chinese also alleged disputes over control and unsuccessful termination negotiations. She claimed she was warned against speaking out, with threats that she could be blacklisted from the entertainment industry if she pursued legal action. 'You don't need to blacklist me, I quit,' Zhao wrote, urging her followers to report to the police should they face similar situations. Galaxy Cool Entertainment issued its response on Weibo on Aug 3, expressing its 'shock' at Zhao's accusations. The agency denied any illegal or contractual breach, and emphasised it is prioritising Zhao's 'wishes and well-being' following her illness. It also urged the actress to avoid posting ambiguous content online that could lead to public misunderstanding. Zhao subsequently reposted the statement on her Weibo, refuting the agency's claims, and calling it out for leaving her alone when she was sick. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Focus Malaysia
17 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
The mirror and the megaphone: What the media industry tells us about ourselves
IMAGINE standing in front of a mirror that not only reflects your image, but also echoes your voice to millions. That's what the media has become today a mirror of society and a megaphone for voices, ideas, and, sometimes, manipulation. Once limited to radio shows and printed headlines, the media industry has now evolved into an ever-expanding universe of tweets, TikToks, podcasts, and 24/7 news cycles. But as this universe grows, we're left with important questions: Who holds the mirror? Who controls the megaphone? And are we seeing the truth or just a reflection of what someone wants us to see? The media industry today is more powerful than ever. Through a mix of traditional formats like television, radio, and newspapers and modern platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and online blogs, media reaches billions daily. Whether it's breaking news or a viral dance challenge, content spreads faster than we can blink. With that speed comes influence over how we think, what we buy, and who we trust. But the power of media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives voice to the voiceless, sheds light on injustice and connects people across borders. On the other, it can distort facts, spread misinformation, and create echo chambers that trap us in one-sided views. The rise of digital media has made everyone a potential journalist, yet not everyone follows journalistic ethics. One viral falsehood can destroy reputations or sway entire elections. Behind the glossy screens and fast-scrolling feeds are companies giant tech firms and media conglomerates pulling the strings. Meta, Google, and even lesser-known algorithm-driven news curators have the power to decide what you see and what you don't. That's not always a conspiracy it's often just business. Their goal is engagement, and outrage engages. Emotional headlines, shocking visuals, and controversial opinions get more clicks than calm, balanced reporting. The real danger? We might not even notice we're being influenced. When our feed agrees with us, we assume it's truth. When we share a meme, we don't always stop to fact-check. The media doesn't always tell us what to think, but it does a brilliant job of telling us what to think about. Yet, in this landscape of noise and narratives, there's hope. A new wave of digital literacy is rising. More people are learning to question sources, cross-check facts, and explore alternative viewpoints. Movements like citizen journalism, podcasts by young creators, and independent media collectives are reclaiming the media space. These voices may be smaller, but they are often more authentic, raw, and brave. In Malaysia, where media freedom is still evolving, the balance between regulation and censorship is delicate. On one hand, regulation can protect the public from hate speech or fake news. On the other, too much control can silence dissent. The challenge lies in creating a media environment that is both free and fair. Laws should empower the truth, not shield those in power from accountability. So, where do we go from here? Perhaps the answer lies in recognising the role we play. We are not just passive consumers of media we are participants, creators, and amplifiers. Every share, like, or comment is a vote. Every story we believe without question, every post we spread without reading, shapes the larger media narrative. If media is the mirror and the megaphone, then we must become more mindful of what we reflect and what we shout. We must demand more transparency from platforms, support ethical journalism, and educate the next generation not just on how to use media, but how to think in a media-saturated world. Because the media industry isn't just about technology or profit. It's about people telling stories, sharing truths, and shaping the future. Whether that future is informed, inclusive, and empowering, or divisive, distorted, and dangerous… depends on how we choose to listen, and how we choose to speak. ‒ Aug 4, 2025 The author is an undergraduate student of Universiti Malaya, taking an elective university course entitled 'Introduction to Journalism and Storytelling in Digital Age'. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Unsplash/Taan Huyn
