KUCHING: Sarawak hopes to showcase some of the performing bands from the renowned Java Jazz Festival at this year’s Borneo Jazz Festival (BJF) and Kuching Jazz Festival (KJF), said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), expressed his aspiration to collaborate with outstanding bands from the upcoming Java Jazz Festival, Southeast Asia’s largest jazz event, which will be held in Jakarta from June 2 to 4.
“I will be attending the Java Jazz Festival next weekend to gain insights into their organisational prowess.
“With any luck, by establishing some sort of understanding with some of the exceptional bands performing at Java Jazz, we hope to bring a selection of them to perform at both the BJF and the KJF,” he said.
He stated this during an appreciation dinner hosted by The Generations to commemorate the success of the ‘Creatively Unique Sarawak 2023’ event held at Urban Residences earlier tonight.
Karim further emphasised that this year’s BJF would be organised by Miri City Council (MCC), taking over from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB).
“I believe it is the perfect time for us to delegate the organisation of the BJF to the people of Miri and nurture their talents.
“This is precisely why the MCC will also be visiting Jakarta to gain insights into the organisation and management of a Jazz festival, and we hope to introduce many more captivating musical events in Sarawak, in addition to the renowned Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF),” he added.
In a different development he announced that MTCP has successfully secured an international choir competition, a significant business event scheduled for 2025, which is expected to attract approximately 2,000 to 3,000 tourists.
Also present at the event was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting, Assistant Secretary of MTCP’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Division Barry Lian Ingan, advisor to The Generations Aaron Kon, as well as President and Secretary of The Generations respectively, Jordan Chang and Haiman Karim Rahman.
