‘Dayak music award programme encourages healthy competition between local artistes’

KAPIT: A homegrown Dayak music award programme serves to encourage more local artistes and composers produce high- quality work that will, in turn, generate lucrative income for them.

In this respect, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong views the ‘ Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara’ (ACSJ) as a good platform to instil and nurture the spirit of healthy competitiveness in local artistes, especially those from the Dayak community, so that they would strive to perform better and produce higher quality music.

“I believe that if there’s no ACSJ, many local composers would not come up with quality work due to lack of competition. Still, the local should go all out in producing great work – award or no award.

“As far as the entertainment industry is concerned, we are far behind those in Peninsular Malaysia. When you talk about the singers from the peninsula, they are very rich and successful because they are popular. When you’re popular, they ( event organisers) would pay you more; you make money meaning you must compose quality song and music.

“I hope that through ACSJ, local composers would compete to produce quality music so that they could catch up with their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said in his opening remarks during ACSJ 2017 at the old airport here Saturday night.

Adding on, Ugak acknowledged that Dayak music, especially Iban songs, is very popular among Sarawakians.

“The Ibans in Kapit, they have the potential (to make it in the music industry). Hence; they need to improve themselves and compose quality work.”

The ACSJ, entering its fourth edition this year, was part of the 10- day Kapit Fest 2017, which concluded yesterday.

Ugak and Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat presented souvenirs to all 18 semi-finalists of the competition – all of whom underwent the qualifying round that kicked off at 5pm on Saturday.

Of the total, eight finalists were selected for the grand final scheduled to be staged in Betong next month.

They are duo of Jesley Jabu and Mathius Mambang with their song ‘ Padam Ka Nama Aku’; Maxwell Taju Remaong with ‘ Kemarau Pengerindu’; Lesley Ugil with ‘ Tinggal Kenang’; Romy Majestica with ‘Ais Ati’; Depha MP with ‘ Seiku Dalam Seibu’; Francis Basat with ‘Perasa Ketegal Danji’; Francis Alvin with ‘ Pengerindu Aku Enda Bebagi’; and the duo of Henry Usup-Embatlala with ‘Nujah Duri Menasan Puntan’.

Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong and his deputy GalongLuang, Kapit Walikota Philimon Nuing, Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit, Song District Officer Jacklyn August and Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga were among the VIP guests.