KUCHING: Sarawakian artists in the creative industries and arts are encouraged to collaborate with one another in order to strengthen the state’s creative and performing arts industry, said Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister said as the ministry regulated the singing, music, and creative industries and arts, artists needed to be aware of state-sponsored programmes and the availability of aid funding to support their artistic activities.
These incentives, he said, were intended to help artists with financial burden associated with creating their creative works.
“As a result, I would like to urge our local artists to reach out to my office for applications for grant incentives.
“Provide a project proposal or draft programme for the Ministry’s assessment and approval,” he added when officiating at the Bintang Lagu Klasik Iban 2023 finals on Saturday night at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC) here.
Snowdan’s text of speech was read by political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Susan Clement Ingun.
He emphasised Sarawak’s outstanding growth and competitiveness in the entertainment industry, indicating the region’s potential for further development.
Snowdan also emphasised the growing number of artists, including singers, musicians, composers, lyricists, and recording studios, as evidence of the Iban music industry’s self-sufficiency and growth.
The development, she said, was in complete opposition to the industry’s dependence on external support during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
According to Pricewaterhouse Coopers research from 2016, the Malaysian music industry contributed considerably to the Malaysian economy, with annual profits of RM6.1 billion.
As a result, he emphasised the need to transfer these benefits to Sarawak artists, encouraging them to grasp possibilities while also leveraging multiple channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and others to optimise their revenues.
Meanwhile Persatuan Anak Seni Iban Malaysa president Isa Lee said the Bintang Lagu Klasik Iban 2023 was the third edition, following the first and second editions in 2012 and 2016.
“This year’s edition is the most amazing because we have contestants from outside Sarawak – one from Indonesia and one from the United States.”
“In addition, this event includes participants of various races and ethnic groups,” he said to reporters.
Isa also expressed the hope that the event might be organised on a worldwide basis.
