‘Dayak artistes as good as others in leadership’
KUCHING: The appointment of popular Iban singer Andrewson Ngalai as a Penghulu proves that Dayak artistes are just as capable as others to be leaders.
In stating this, Dayak Arts and Culture Association Kuching ( PPSKDK) vice chairman Isa Lee said the influence wielded by some popular Dayak artistes and their contributions could not be underestimated.
“This development shows that our artistes are not only able to entertain people but they can also lead people if they are given the mandate and responsibility. I too would like more local artistes to be given such tasks so as to help the government carry out their
This development shows that our artistes are not only able to entertain people but they can also lead people if they are given the mandate and responsibility. I too would like more local artistes to be given such tasks so as to help the government carry out their development agenda.
development agenda,” he said.
Isa, himself an accomplished musician, was commenting on the appointment of Ngalai as the new Penghulu for Sekuau, Pakoh and Ulu Oya areas under Selangau District.
Ngalai is best known for his hit song ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’, which is among the favourite songs of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Ngalai’s son Rickie, 33, is taking over the longhouse chief’s post from his father.
Isa also expressed his hope that more local artistes would be given ‘pingat’ (medals) or even honorific titles such as Datuk or Dato as some of them had contributed a lot to the society, especially during the communist insurgency in the early 1970s.
He said these artistes were the ones pulling in the crowds at many government functions, programmes or operations during that era. Many of their peers in the peninsula were already honoured with medals and titles, he added.
“Popular Dayak artistes at that time such as Christopher Kelly and the late Michael Jemat were invited to sing and entertain the people in ‘ Pentas Rakyat’ which were held by the government to stop the people from joining the communists,” he said.
On another matter, Isa said Dayak songs must no longer be regarded as ‘kampung music’, due to advancements and high quality set by the Dayak music industry.
He pointed out that Dayak music had gone through five eras – the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and now the 21st century.
“There is creative and quality development in terms of melody, lyrics and music arrangement. Our Dayak music now is no longer categorised as ‘ kampung music’ as we have reached a certain level and standard.
“So much so that popularity of the songs goes beyond the Dayak community and some of the artistes have many fans among non-Dayaks,” he said.
He believed the advancement and progress made so far had been possible through the biennial Anugerah Music Dayak (AMD), which organised for the fourth time by Dayak Artistes and Musicians Association ( Dama) last year.
“Even though the Dayak mainstream music still has a lot of fans now, we still need to improve and dream of going international,” he said.
Isa Lee, Dayak Arts and Culture Association Kuching (PPSKDK) vice chairman