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Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Indonesian music festival Latihan Pestapora heads to Sunway Lagoon for first Malaysia pre-show: Why it's worth the hype (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Latihan Pestapora, the official pre-event to one of Indonesia's biggest music festivals, is making its Malaysian debut at Sunway Lagoon's Surf Beach this July 26. Marking its first appearance outside Indonesia, the warm-up show has already generated buzz, with early bird tickets selling out despite the line-up not yet being announced. Latihan Pestapora Malaysia is expected to mirror the energy and creativity that has defined the main festival since its inception. Inside Pestapora: How Indonesia's music celebration began Pestapora first launched in September 2022 with a three-day event at the Gambir Expo in Jakarta, featuring 174 artists and performers across at least six stages, ranging from newcomers to legendary acts. Among the performers were folk-rock band Barasuara, Japanese-Indonesian idol group JKT48, singer-actor Afgan, and dangdut legend Inul Daratista. The festival is organised by Boss Creator, an Indonesian event company founded by former talent manager Rizky Aulia, also known as Kiki Ucup. Rizky previously served as the programme director for another major Indonesian festival, Synchronise Fest. According to CNN Indonesia, Rizky said Pestapora was created to celebrate music after the Covid-19 lockdowns and to support Indonesian artists regardless of genre. Pestapora has since grown in scale and popularity. In 2023, it attracted 97,000 concertgoers, with highlights including a headlining performance by popular rock band Sheila On 7, according to Kompas. Last year's edition also featured the all-female hijab-wearing metal trio Voice of Baceprot, who performed at Glastonbury 2024, as well as D'Masiv, Efek Rumah Kaca and singer Isyana Sarasvati. One of the most talked-about moments was a performance by former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was joined on stage by renowned guitarist and composer Tohpati, Tempo reported. What sets Pestapora apart from other festivals From the initial lineup announcement to a series of pre-events leading up to the main festival, every detail has been meticulously designed to generate excitement and build anticipation for Pestapora — a strategy they have embraced since the very beginning. Pestapora is also known for its unique festival experience, with elements like teaser quizzes, lineup hints and phased announcements on social media to build momentum. The organisers have even enlisted Indonesian celebrities such as Nicholas Saputra and Dr Boyke in their promotional efforts. Latihan Pestapora events have been held in cities across Indonesia including Malang, Bekasi and Surakarta (Solo), each designed to extend the spirit of the main event. The festival also features a pop-up daycare called Pecapowa, where concert-going parents can leave their children in a safe space that offers activities such as sensory play, gardening, drama and storytelling. Latihan Pestapora heads to Malaysia as 2025 main event takes shape For the Malaysian show, normal and express lane tickets are still available across two categories — Rock Zone and General Admission — with prices ranging from RM179 to RM349. Children aged 8 to 15 can attend for RM70 per person. The main Pestapora 2025 will run from September 5 to 7, with the venue yet to be announced. The first phase of the 2025 line-up includes 46 acts so far, such as Wijaya80, JKT48, Kunto Aji, Juicy Lucy, Nidji and RumahSakit. Early bird tickets have sold out, even though the full line-up has yet to be announced, while regular passes have yet to go on sale. To learn more about Pestapora 2025, visit the official website here.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Afghan footballer faces deportation from Germany
Afgan Refugees (File photo- AP/ April 19, 2025) Nazima and Nazira Khairzad , sisters and athletes, fled Afghanistan and the Taliban in 2021 and built a family life in Germany. But now Nazira is facing deportation, and a second separation from her family. "When I received the letter telling me I might be sent back to Italy, I was overcome by a deep sense of hopelessness, fear and uncertainty," said Nazira Khairzad. "I was very sad and shocked. Since then, my mum has lived in constant fear and stress. She hardly sleeps at night because she is afraid the police will suddenly come and take her daughter away." After the Taliban seized power again in 2021, the Khairzad family fled Afghanistan separately. Nazira, now 21 , initially ended up in Italy. Her sister Nazima, two years older, eventually made it to Germany with the rest of the family via Pakistan. Nazira was only reunited with her family at the beginning of 2024, in the Frankfurt area. "It was a difficult time. We weren't able to see each other for a long while," recalled Nazira. "But now we're happy to be reunited." Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Worst States to Live in the USA, Ranked BridesBlush Undo 'My life was in danger' Nazima and Nazira Khairzad have been inseparable since they were children in Afghanistan . "I'm very proud of my sister, she's my role model and my best friend," Nazira told DW. The pair did everything together: Skiing, playing football, or climbing the mountains in their home province of Bamiyan. At first, their parents struggled to understand such pursuits, given that sport was not considered an acceptable leisure activity for women and girls in the social and cultural resistance, Nazima grew into a successful ski racer and mountaineer while Nazira became a goalkeeper in Afghanistan's national women's football team . However, when the Taliban returned in August 2021, the sisters, like so many others, were forced to leave their home country. "My life in Afghanistan was in danger," said Nazira. "If I had stayed back then, the Taliban would probably have killed me." Most female athletes in Afghanistan have fled since the regime, which has banned women from playing sport, regained power. Facing deportation to Italy The sisters had to find a way to live apart from each other in foreign countries. It was only after three difficult and isolated years in Italy that Nazira made it to Germany in 2024. Now that they're reunited, Nazira says her family needs her help. "My mother is ill and needs my closeness, my support and emotional stability," she said. "We are very close." Her older sister, Nazima, also needs support: She was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year and had to undergo an operation. But now Nazira faces deportation to Italy, the country that initially granted her residency. The family is trying to prevent her deportation with the help of their lawyer Elke Gabsa, despite the difficult legal footing. "If someone is recognized as a refugee in one country, it is fundamentally impossible to request protection in another [ EU ] member state," Gabsa told there have been exceptions in the past when the European Court of Justice has found "systemic deficiencies," for example in Greece or Italy, the lawyer said. These systemic deficiencies can arise when refugees are threatened with inhumane or degrading treatment in the host country, but, as Gabsa pointed out, this case law has recently been adjusted. Hope remains Nazira's deportation back to Italy is therefore likely to stand. Nevertheless, she and her lawyer are trying to prevent the family being separated again. "In this case, it is also a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if she [Nazira] is not allowed to be with her family, who need her support," said Gabsa. Over the past few months, Nazira has built a life for herself in Germany, learned the language and even playing football again. "I work part-time and try to fully integrate into society," she said. "I exercise regularly. Football plays a big role in my life. I used to train at AC Milan, and today it's my big dream to play in Frankfurt." For her, football is not just "a passion, but an opportunity to build my future." Nazira hopes the courts will rule in her favor. "I want to stay in Germany, live with my family, work, play soccer and be an active, useful member of this society. I wish for a safe, dignified life that I can shape with a lot of commitment and hope." This article was originally written in German.
