Sabah Fest returns with musical show
Kota Kinabalu: The State’s largest cultural event, Sabah Fest, returns with an all-original musical show this May 3 to 4, as the organiser is poised to recreate the annual event as the ‘ultimate cultural showcase.’
Titled ‘Injin Puput – Passage to the Heart of Borneo’, the musical performance is set to wow the audience at the Culture and Arts Department Complex Auditorium (JKKNS) with yet another love-journey affair story, reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ of the North Borneo Railway.
Similar to the previous show ‘Adventures of Ngarayang’, of a fictional barter trader travelling from Bonggi to Kuala Penyu, characters, this time, are brought into a journey along the train tracks of the railway firm.
The story evolves around the inter-racial fascination of a Murut Warrior, named Aki Guonun, with a Chinese woman called, Mei Ling.
Speaking in promotion of the event, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Dauk Masidi Manjun said ‘Injin Puput’ will only be staged for two days, ending on the eve of the General Election on May 5. Saying the show must go on, Masidi said its organising was brought to two days instead of three, as it would give performers time to vote.
“The premier show, which will also be attended by the Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahirrudin, will be on May 4, while the next day will be the public performance.
“About 60 per cent of the tickets have been snapped up thanks to sponsors,” he said.
Masidi said Sabah Economic Development Authority (Sedia) sponsored RM15,000, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park RM5,000, Shell Malaysia RM2,000, Sedco RM5,000 and Sabah Energy Corporation RM2,000.
He said the agencies provided the sponsorship for students from SMK Putatan, St Michael, SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, SMK All Saints, SMK St Francis Convent, Sabah College, SK Sembulan, SK Sri Gaya, SRK Stella Maris, St Agnes, SK Tg Aru I and II to benefit from the show.
“This will allow students attending the performance to gain some experience from the show as everything is composed by locals,” he explained.
Masidi said the ticket for the show cost RM50 each and that the show is being organised by the Sabah Tourism Board involving close to 400 local performers.
There will also be an exhibition set up during the two-day staging.
Source: Daily Express
