KUCHING: Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) will deploy its Sape Ambassadors to several of the state’s most prominent upcoming events as part of an ongoing mission to promote ‘Unity in Diversity’.
YPS Deputy Chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, announced the initiative during a Ramah Tamah Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering with the ambassadors at a local hotel on March 28.
The ambassadors are slated to participate in the ‘Niti Daun 2026’ parade in June and the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2028 in Kuching.
Jabu also unveiled plans to collaborate with sape academies in Miri and Kuching to organise a sape music competition open to Malaysian youths of all ethnicities.
“I am very proud of these young people. They have represented YPS in major events across the state, and I am sure they can positively contribute, especially to the various state-level events,” he said.
Since the programme’s inception in 2023, three cohorts of the YPS Sape Camp have produced 48 trained ambassadors aged between 18 and 30.
These youth represent a wide spectrum of ethnicities from across Malaysia, including participants from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
The ambassadors received training under renowned sape maestro, Matthew Ngau Jau, and local composer, Narawai Rashidi, with further guidance from UNIMAS researcher, Dr Connie Lim, and Persatuan Anak Seni Sape Kuching (PUSAK).
To date, the ambassadors have performed at high-profile events including the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu, the Kaul Festival in Mukah, and the Borneo Native Festival 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
They are scheduled for a return performance at the Kaul Festival in Mukah this April.
Jabu praised the ambassadors’ growing influence, noting that YPS’ social media platforms have seen strong engagement regarding their ‘Malam Perpaduan’ shows and sape camps.
“Your contribution towards YPS’ ‘Unity in Diversity’ promotion has not only been accepted by our partners but has also received overwhelming acceptance among youths,” he told the gathering.
During the event, Jabu presented special mementos to the ambassadors as a token of appreciation.
Also present were YPS Deputy Chairman II, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, and YPS member, Datuk Ose Murang.
