KAPIT: Bukit Goram state assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat said young people could find good-paying and even lucrative carriers in the music industry.
“Top artists or musicians can even make millions when they become popular. So venture into the industry,” he said at the closing of this year’s state-level Mandarin Singing Contests for Primary Pupils and Secondary Students 2019 held at Kapit Civic Centre last Saturday evening.
“Regardless of our race, we all love music for various reasons including recreation and relaxation,” he said, adding he was pleased to have been invited to the competitions.
A total of 158 singers and more than 400 visitors came from all over the state, from Samarahan to Limbang divisions, to the three-day event from Dec 13 to 15.
The event was hosted by Sarawak Singing Council and held by Kapit Music Society at Kapit Civic Centre here.
“In any activity, the yardstick of success is the response and participation. Tonight there are more than 600 guests in this hall, proving that your spirit is high. Even though the contestants are students, adults are present to support them, which is very encouraging,” said Jamit.
“Music is the oldest language on earth. There is no boundary to both singing and listening to music as the old and young all love good music. Through music we can express our feelings. Without music, life would be boring.”
He was happy to observe that even though the contests were in Mandarin, non-Chinese also participated.
“I saw Dayaks contesting too. To me, this is a platform to promote cultural co-operation and understanding among the various ethnic groups in the state. Thus, I appeal to Kapit Music Society to work with other organisations to organise more activities to promote co-operation and understanding.
“As your elected representative, I will try my best to support your activities. Tonight, I announce a contribution of RM10,000 for the Kapit Music Society to carry out its activities in the coming year,” he said.
He said to him, the 158 participants were all winners because they represented their respective divisions.
What was important, according to him, was to keep on practising and improve their command of Mandarin to enhance the quality of their singing.
“Keep on practising and come back next year for the competitions in Kota Samarahan in December,” he said.
Among the guests were Datin Tien Siew Ching, who represented Sarawak Singing Council president Datuk Wong King Hoong; Kapit Music Society chairperson Chua Bee Hun, and the competitions’ organising chairman Gabriel Cheng.
