MIRI: The Miri Arts Festival (MAF 24) has the potential to create a sustainable ecosystem for the arts and culture tourism industry in Miri, said its MP Chiew Choon Man.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday during the festival’s opening at the Pullman Hotel Miri, Chiew expressed his hope that MAF 24 would become an annual event that attracts tourists and boosts the local art industry.
“We are building our arts and culture tourism industry, especially in Miri,” Chiew said. “I call on Mirians to continue to support this event as an art business. To realise this vision, the government must provide a supportive ecosystem,”Chiew said.
The event was officially launched by Siti Rohanie Yusuf, who represented the Resident of Miri Division, Jamalie Busri.
In his speech, read by Siti Rohanie, Jamalie emphasised that MAF’ 24 has already placed Miri on the world map and expressed his hope that the festival would become a permanent fixture on Miri City’s event calendar.
Also present was Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Miri chairman Mohammad Hafidz Rohani, Miri deputy mayor Cr Ariffin Mohammad and MAF 24 chairman Azeez Salleh.
This year’s MAF 24 features 18 renowned artists from around the globe, as well as local talents.
The festival will culminate in the MAF 24 Gala, a celebration of the arts showcasing performances by legendary singer Anuar Zain, stand-up comedian Douglas Lim, virtuoso violinist Nisa Addina, and expressive artist Mahsuri Shark.
MAF’ 24 is presented by AX International in collaboration with DUBS, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism Malaysia (MOTAC), the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the Miri City Council (MCC), and the Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel.
