KUCHING: More than RM800,000 from the RM1 million annual grants allocated by Majlis Seni Sarawak (MSS) for arts and cultural activities has been distributed.
MSS chief executive officer Dr Suffian Haji Jalet said the grants were available to arts and cultural associations, practitioners, creators and agencies, with applications assessed based on their suitability.
Suffian said the funding could support initiatives to preserve traditional heritage, including workshops related to the Lutong musical instrument.
He said the event went beyond showcasing the instrument, as it provided an opportunity to revisit Sarawak’s heritage and encourage its continuation among future generations.
“Lutong is being promoted, Lutong is being introduced, Lutong is being discussed, and most importantly, Lutong continues to be played,” he said at the Lutong Musical Instrument Expo today (Sept 27).
Suffian said traditional arts and culture were closely linked to community identity, citing musical instruments, traditional costumes and Orang Ulu beadwork as examples of heritage carrying stories and cultural significance.
He said MSS was entrusted with safeguarding 34 ethnic groups in Sarawak, adding that research had identified an ethnic group with only 17 members remaining.
“This is a very good beginning. There was also a workshop last year. This is another step forward,” he said.
Suffian encouraged those involved in the Lutong initiative to apply for MSS grants and expressed support for efforts to bring the instrument to larger stages and cultural programmes.
“I want Lutong to be promoted and showcased on stage,” he said.
He also hoped the expo would continue and attract more young people to learn and play the instrument.
“I hope that afterwards, more people will know Lutong, more people will want to learn, more people will want to play it, and perhaps more young people will one day take up Lutong and say, ‘This is our heritage. I want to continue it’,” he said.
