Kuching-based band Meruked to release latest single at Star On Stage Feb 24

KUCHING (Feb 22): Meruked, a Kuching-based six-piece tribal contemporary band, is set to release a music video for its latest single titled ‘Kining Posah’ at the Star On Stage, Jalan Borneo here this Saturday (Feb 24).

Fusing the sounds of old and new, the band not only focuses on experimental music this time around but will also use its music to promote human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression.

In a statement, the band said that an international human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) named ‘Article 19’ will also be involved in the launching of the single.

“Article 19 is an international NGO that fights for freedom of opinion and expression, and these rights include freedom to hold opinions without interference, as well as to seek, revive and impart information and ideas through the media,” said the band.

“With representatives in Malaysia, Article 19 has been working on countering hate speech and has collaborated with the Canadian Embassy to better understand hate speech in its diverse contexts in this country,” it added.

Among the participants for this campaign were the Sarawak Women for Women Society, HAUS Kuching and Meruked.

On the latest single ‘Kining Posah’, the band remarked that the phrase derived from a Bidayuh Bau language which literally means crystal clear – a metaphoric feeling of being able to think clearly and which has long been waiting to come out of the songwriter’s book.

“The song speaks about how being stagnant has helped us form a new perspective on life, and that the power to express it knows no boundaries,” said Meruked lead singer Syed Ashraf Edruce.

“The launch will be a celebration where old and new fans will come together to listen to the music – the universal language of the world,” he said, while extending his appreciation to Article 19, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and the High Commission of Canada in Malaysia for their support.