KUCHING: Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) yesterday signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to develop new local talents especially among the youth through youth talent development programme ‘Bakat Kamek’.
The first memorandum was signed between SMA represented by its board member Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit cum deputy State Secretary (Performance and Service Delivery Transformation) and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Unirazak) represented by its chief operating officer Mohamed Fairuz Mohamed Noor.
Witnessing the MOU signing were SMA project head Prof Ir Dr Al-Khalid Othman and Unirazak director for Sales and Marketing, Associate Prof Dr Johari Mat.
Meanwhile, the second MOU was signed between SMA and Sidma College Sarawak represented by its chief executive officer Dayang Sofia Abang Bohan and witnessed by Al-Khalid and Sidma College founder and chairman Prof Dr Morni Kambrie.
The third MOU was signed between SMA and Oohhaa Music Sdn Bhd represented by its director Mohamad Shah Riadzi Jamali.
According to Sabariah, the MOUs will ensure that Sarawak will move further in the creative arts industry with the support of the local universities (Unirazak and Sidma College) and industry player (Oohhaa Music Sdn Bhd).
“This is a steadfast effort which is more structured and well planned to provide a platform for local talents in the state as well as driving the state towards the digital era.
“If there is opportunity again next year, we will establish a bigger platform and encourage more involvement from local higher learning institutions,” she said at a press conference after the signing of MOUs at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Petra Jaya.
Through the MOUs, Sidma College Sarawak in collaboration with Unirazak have offered a joint sponsorship for scholarship of RM300,000 as award for the Bakat Kamek 2019 Final Concert which was held at the old DUN building in Petra Jaya last night.
The sponsorship will go towards tuition and other administration fees for Bakat Kamek 2019 winners for both ‘Singing’ and ‘Stand-up Comedy’ categories to pursue their studies at Sidma College Sarawak.
‘Bakat Kamek’ is a youth talent development programme under the Sarawak Government – Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHe) initiative in collaboration with SMA and Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) which is in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2018-2020.
The programme, which started in April, is also empowered by Oohhaa Music Sdn Bhd, a key player in the music and entertainment industry.
Bakat Kamek 2019 goes by a reality show concept and being the first in Sarawak to do so, it has grabbed the attention of up to 50,000 people through its engagement in social media.
The show can be viewed through the TV Sarawak platform.
