JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- The Johor government will allocate a total of RM150,000 annually to support the development of the 24 Festive Drums movement, including RM100,000 for the 24 Festive Drums Association Malaysia and RM50,000 for the Johor Bahru Foon Yew High School 24 Festive Drums Team.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the allocation reflected the state government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the traditional performing art founded in Johor 38 years ago, while also preserving Johor’s cultural heritage.
“Moving forward, the Johor state government will approve a RM50,000 yearly grant to the Foon Yew High School drummers.
“And for the 24 Festive Drums Association, we will also approve a yearly grant of RM100,000,” he said in his speech at the 7th International 24 Festive Drums Festival at Raja Zarith Sofiah Opera House here today.
Onn Hafiz said he was impressed by the performance of the Foon Yew High School students, describing them as having performed like professional drummers.
He said the development of Johor should not be measured solely in terms of economic progress, but also include efforts to safeguard and promote the state’s culture.
“When we talk about progress, when we talk about development, it’s not just economics. It’s not just about earning a living.
“I think more important than that is that we also have to safeguard our culture,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the state government also planned to expand cultural performances at the Kompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar, including through regular 24 Festive Drums performances.
He said he had asked 24 Festive Drums Association Malaysia vice-president Lee Sheah Liang to discuss with Yayasan Warisan on the possibility of organising weekly or regular performances at the complex.
Onn Hafiz said the initiative was in line with Johor’s vision of becoming a developed state by 2030 while ensuring that the cultural identity of Bangsa Johor continued to be preserved.
-- BERNAMA