Ibrahim (seated, fourth right) and his committee join the participants of BCF 2019 Malay Melanau Pavilion’s activities in a group photo after their final meeting.
SIBU: The Malay Melanau Pavilion of Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2019 will be staging many exciting activities from July 18 to 24.
The pavilion is sited at Tun Tuanku Bujang Square Phase I (formerly known as Sibu Town Square) here.
According to Malay Melanau Pavilion working committee chairman Ibrahim Laili, the July 18 programme will kick off at 8.15pm with a presentation of Malay and Melanau songs by the Melanau Welfare Association of Kampung Nangka Sibu.
“Then on July 19, there will be a medley of live performances by local bands at the pavilion from 5pm to 6.30pm. The Melanau Musicians Association of Malaysia will coordinate this programme.
“From 8.30pm onwards, a line-up of talented Melanau artistes will be performing,” he told reporters after chairing the final meeting for the BCF 2019 Malay Melanau Pavilion working committee, at Sibu Municipal Council’s conference room late Friday.
“Then on July 20, the Melanau Sibu Association would be running their programme, commencing at 8.30pm.
“The line-up includes traditional music, song and dance presentations, as well as a Melanau traditional costume showcase.”
Ibrahim said on July 21, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee would officiate at the opening of BCF 2019 Malay Melanau Pavilion, with the ceremony commencing at 8.30pm.
“After that, the SFWI (Federation of Women Institutes Sarawak) and the MUC (Malay Union Club) will be staging traditional dance and song presentations.
“Visitors also get to witness the MUC’s ‘gendang’ (drum) competition after the opening ceremony at pavilion,” he added.
On July 22, the finale of ‘Miss ICON Baju Kurung Asli’ would kick off at 8.30pm. The pageant was organised by Sibu Malay Community Association.
“Besides that, a ‘bermukun’ (lively Malay-Melanau ensemble comprising singers, dancers and musicians – usually ‘gendang’ players, accordions and fiddlers) will heat up the atmosphere that night. The session will be open to the public,” added Ibrahim.
On July 23, Ibrahim’s committee would stage the finale of ‘Lagu Asli Melayu’ (Malay classic songs) competition.
The pavilion’s closing night on July 24 would host a special singing and dancing showcase themed ‘Musical Evolution Digital Era’, presented by Malay-Melanau Music Industry of Sarawak.