Combine musical instruments of various races to create unity tunes - Abang Johari

KUCHING - Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants students to explore more ways to combine usage of traditional musical instruments from various races in their music performances to further promote unity and appreciation of cultural diversity among Malaysians.

He said a new culture of unity could be cultivated among students of different races in schools if they are given rooms to showcase their creativity by playing several types of traditional musical instruments in a performance, such as the Sarawak Orang Ulu’s sape together with the Chinese traditional drums.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 10th Malaysia Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Ball Games Championship here tonight, he said the performance by a group of students at the ceremony who rendered a well-known Iban song, "Bekikis Bulu Betis” by combining their skills strumming the sape and beating the drums had inspired him to moot the new culture idea.

"While I was sitting, I found one word that showcased tonight’s performance and the word is ‘sadrum’ (combination of sape and drum)... a new culture whereby one native student plays sape, another plays drum and singing ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’. That is a really good gift on August 31st as we celebrate the National Day,” he said.

The premier said Sarawak could adapt to such culture easily as the locals have high tolerance despite living in a multiracial community.

More than 2,000 students, accompanying teachers and parents from 65 Chinese Private High Schools are involved in the five-day tournament which began on Monday. - BERNAMA