Iban classic song contest attracts singers from other races
KUCHING: The ‘Pekit Bintang Klasik Iban’ ( Iban classic song competition) has attracted a lot of participation from non-Ibans.
The competition’s event manager Isa Lee said many of them turned up at the audition held last Saturday, a testimony that Iban songs are also wellliked by non-Iban singers.
He revealed that out of the 16 persons picked for the competition’s semi-final stage, six of them are Malays, one Chinese, one Orang Ulu and one Bidayuh while the remaining seven semi-finalists are Iban.
“The audition at Summer Mall, Kota Samarahan last Saturday attracted many nonIbans. This showed the appeal and commercial potential of Iban songs which are well-liked by people irrespective of race. And looking at those who made it to the semi-finals, nine of them are non-Iban,” he said when met yesterday.
The 16 semi- finalists are Wendy Fred Antok, Ham, Linda Lya Sanjan, Rosyah Balike, Sylvia Umang, Vivian Tsai, Sharifah Hanifah, Yusup Mas, Maxwell Richard, Tony Rumpang, Bahtea Mohd Taufik, Spencer Meringai, Bandi Ali, Azami Kipli and Lawrence E.
The semi-finals will be held at Summer Mall, Kota Samarahan on August 27. Prior to that, they will be introduced to the public at a showcase to be held at Ranyai Clan, Jalan Stutong on August 25.
“The participation of people from many races showed this competition is becoming a platform to forge greater interracial unity.
“For this year’s competition, we focus more on quality, we need to produce artistes with good package or commercial value and other skills for them to be a versatile entertainer.
“Thank you to all our sponsors and collaborators namely Ranyai Studio, Summer Mall, Manang Sports Brand, Dennis Ngau Sape
The audition at Summer Mall, Kota Samarahan last Saturday attracted many non-Ibans. This showed the appeal and commercial potential of Iban songs which are well-liked by people irrespective of race. And looking at those who made it to the semi-finals, nine of them are non-Iban. Isa Lee, ‘Pekit Bintang Klasik Iban’ event manager
Maker, Utusan Borneo, Waifm and Catsfm,” he said.
The competition is held again this year after a hiatus of four years. Its main organiser is Dayak Arts and Culture Association Kuching (PPSKDK) which has teamed up with Association for the Educational Development of Iban Language (Aedil) to bring back the competition this year.
Although participants are only allowed to sing Iban classic and evergreen songs, the competition attracted many young contestants in 2012 including Eisner Nala Jackson who finished as champion at the age of just 17.
Eisner Nala, along with first runner up Fierdarus Udin and finalist Jessica Remaya are now household names in the Iban music industry following the success of their albums released after the competition.
The competition offers attractive cash prizes alongside trophies and certificates. The lucky winner will also get the chance to record a single at Ranyai Studio.
The competition only allows participants to sing Iban songs recorded in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
The final to be held sometime next month will see the singers belting it out with a live band.