By Fiqah Roslan
Recognise Folk Dance Festival as co-curriculum program — Masidi
KOTA KINABALU: The Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah - National Youth Folk Dance Festival ought to be recognised as a national-level co-curriculum programme as it involves participation of students from all over the country.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun proposed that the Ministry of Education recognise the programme as such, in addition to providing allocations for organising such programmes.
“Since this programme is joined by schools nationwide, I suggest that the Ministry of Education recognise the Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah - National Youth Folk Dance Festival as a co-curriculum programme on a national level.
“I also request that the ministry contribute in terms of allocation to the state government in each of these programmes as a sign of support and commitment in our joint efforts to uphold cultural heritage amongst the younger generation, especially students.”
Masidi mooted the idea in his opening address at the Eighth Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah - National Youth Folk Dance Festival 2017 held at the Sabah Cultural Centre on Wednesday night.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi.
He further said among the main objectives of the programme was to raise awareness among youths, especially school students, in order to preserve ethnic culture throughout the country.
Through such awareness, youths will be more appreciative of their cultural heritage and will be more willing to take responsibility as leaders and successors of ethnic cultural heritage, he said.
Masidi added that the spirit of love towards cultural heritage among the younger generation must be cultivated since school, which can be accomplished through recognising the programme as a national co-curriculum event.
“Through this programme, each participant can contribute towards strengthening ethnic tolerance in the country by sharing about and recognising other cultures in order to maintain a high tolerance status through activities which bring together various ethnicities, heritage and background.
“In previous years, the Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah - National Youth Folk Dance Festival was held simultaneously with the Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF).
“However, the decision was made upon assessment to separate the organisation of the Tugu Budaya programme from SIFF.
“In line with this change, the Tugu Budaya program has been inaugurated and recognised as a national competition. This change is necessary to give greater emphasis on the Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah dance competition,” he said.
The programme received participation from 29 schools nationwide, comprising 14 primary schools and 15 secondary schools, with three invited cultural dance groups from Russia, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The festival, which began on July 18 and will end on July 23, also features a Sabahan ethnic handicraft exhibition and traditional Sabahan ethnic food carnival.