Plans underway to elevate Miri Country Music Fest further

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Lee (centre) launches MCMF 2018 at Mega Hotel. He is flanked by Gracie on his left and Kuek. At third right is Javaerlyne.

MIRI: There are plans to elevate the organisation of Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) further next year.

According to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, his ministry has included MCMF as one of the tourism products for Visit Sarawak Year (VMY) 2019 campaign.

“MCMF is a very unique music-based festival.

“Thus, we want to see this festival to grow bigger, with (plans to) upgrade the event into (one that befits its) international status,” he told reporters during a press conference held after the launch of the ‘MCMF 2018’ at Mega Hotel here yesterday.

Adding on Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, said the Sarawak government through his ministry is now intensifying the existing close collaboration with Brunei in tourism promotion slated for mutual benefits.

“The Royal Brunei Airlines has introduced various international routes to the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan, as well as its latest direct flight route to London.

“We should tap on such opportunities, inking a collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines. Brunei would be another gateway for tourists to discover Sarawak.”

Lee said with Bandar Seri Begawan being around two hours’ drive from this city, he wanted to see more crowd-pulling events being hosted here.

Additionally these events, said the assistant minister, must be varied – they could be musical, sports, cultural, food, nature or adventure events – catering for different people with different interests.

Meanwhile the fifth edition of the MCMF is scheduled this Nov 24 at the Coco Cabana here, commencing at 5pm.

This year, the festival will feature seven ensembles — Delilah Rose & The Gunslingers from Australia, Mel & Rani (Singapore/Indonesia), Joe Ferdinand F&F (Singapore), Raggy (Penang), Ady Wow & Maha (Sabah) and two Sarawak bands: Mountain Wind Band and Country Road Band.