Abdullah (standing fifth right) with the performers.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports will try to get funding to convert the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Petra Jaya into a performing arts centre.
According to Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Corporate Affairs) Abdullah Saidol, the matter has been raised by Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is the minister in charge.
“He had on several occasions pointed out the need to get funding for the project and the matter may be in the next state budget presentation,” said Abdullah who represented Karim at the preview of the ‘Melati Sarawak’ theatre in Labu Sakti Studio at Jalan Haji Taha on Friday night.
“He (Karim) has met several relevant agencies and organisations and I believe that it may soon become a reality,” said Saidol.
The theatre production will represent Sarawak at the 14th Johor Bahru Arts Festival from Nov 2-6.
According to Labu Sakti Studio secretary Taksu Zacharia, the production is based on the first novel on Sarawak written by Rakawi Muhammad Yusof which features the Malay culture.
“Highlighting the subject of Malay Gendang of Sarawak, the musical was very popular then and has endured the test of time. It tells of the conflict faced by the younger generation who were influnced by the British culture and had forgotten their Sarawakian roots,” he added.
Taksu pointed that the Malay Gendang of Sarawak is a famous cultural icon of Sarawak and is widely staged across the state.
Abdullah later presented the Sarawak flag to the group representative.
Also present were Department of National Arts and Culture officer Mawar Suhaila Abd Razak.