SEREMBAN, May 26 — A musical concert known as “Konsert Muzika Negri Sembilan dan Minang Serantau 2015”, held for the first time here last night, is capable of boosting cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia.
The socio-cultural affairs adviser to the Malaysian government, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said the programme also helped to enhance relations between Seremban and West Sumatra.
The programme, organised by the Malaysia-Indonesia People’s Friendship Foundation (YIRMI) and National Heritage Foundation (YWN), with the cooperation of the Negri Sembilan National Cultural and Arts Department (JKKNNS) and the Negri Sembilan Foundation (YNS), is capable of reminiscing the history between the people of Negri Sembilan and the Minangkabau community in West Sumatra, Indonesia, he told reporters when met after the concert.
Also present were Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and National Cultural and Arts Director-General Datuk Norliza Rofli.
The concert involved the participation of 80 artistes from both countries, including the Padang Panjang Indonesian Arts Institute.
Rais said the programme, besides aimed at enhancing relations between Negri Sembilan and West Sumatra, was also aimed at attracting more tourists to the state and to provide a venue for exchange of ideas among industry players to further promote the Malaysian and Indonesian arts and culture.
At the event, Rais presented the ‘Anugerah Citra Warisan Lagu-Lagu Irama Negri Sembilan’ award to Ally Noor, 67, whose real name is Ali Noor Baharudin, and Mastura, 58, whose full name is Mastura Ismail.
They each received RM5,000 and certificate.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Maharaja Khalid Bonget, 74, was conferred the lifetime achievement award for promoting the “adat perpatih”, ‘Anugerah Pencapaian Seumur Hidup Budayawan Adat’.
He received RM10,000 and a certificate contributed by YIRMI and YWN.
The Padang Panjang Indonesian Arts Institute also took home RM10,000 and a certificate for winning the special award. — Bernama
