ELECTRONIC dance music (EDM) has long had a following in Sarawak, but recent festival-scale efforts have given the genre greater visibility beyond club spaces.
Although rave festivals were not entirely new to the state, they were few and far between. For years, the scene was sustained primarily through nightlife venues rather than large-scale gatherings.
Larger festivals have since broadened the reach of the scene, connecting local talents with international acts and introducing Sarawak’s audiences to wider EDM influences.
Among them is the Borderland Music Festival, first held at Coco Cabana in Miri in 2023 before moving to the Sarawak Cultural Village in 2024. The event has since attracted wider regional attention.
To understand the growth of Sarawak’s EDM movement, one cannot overlook Tiger Ming, one of the founders of the Borderland Music Festival who has helped drive the scene forward both on and off stage.
Finding belonging through music
Born Ing Xiang Ming, Tiger Ming discovered electronic music at 13 while most of his friends were listening to mainstream pop.
The 32-year-old DJ from Ipoh, Perak, now based in Miri, said his interest in EDM began long before he ever considered stepping behind the decks.
He said artists like Deadmau5 and Skrillex were among the early influences that shaped his taste in music.
“I was diving deep into electronic sounds. At times I felt out of place, like I was the only one who truly understood this music,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
That sense of isolation shifted when he attended his first rave at 17. For the first time, he said he felt like he belonged, surrounded by people who shared the same passion.
“It felt like home,” he said. “Since then, I’ve been attending EDM raves and festivals religiously for over 15 years. That passion never left me.”
Where the vision began
Ming remained active in the scene – first as an attendee, and later as a DJ and organiser. Contrary to popular assumption, he did not grow up aspiring to perform.
“That was never the dream,” he said. “I’ve always been deeply obsessed with electronic music and rave culture.”
He said a friend eventually encouraged him to try DJing at a bar that was hiring, a suggestion that changed his life.
From the beginning, his focus was not on recognition. He had a vision that went beyond simply performing.
“It was never about fame or performing. It was about educating people about the music and creating a space where others could feel what I felt at 17. That vision eventually grew into the Borderland Music Festival,” he said.
A turning point in Sarawak
In 2022, Ming arrived in Sarawak at a difficult point in his career. He had been invited to perform at the Neon Borneo Festival in Miri, his first show after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he admitted he was close to walking away from the industry.
“I was tired and almost ready to walk away from the scene completely. I even told myself it would be my last show,” he recalled.
Instead, the experience in the ‘Oil Town’”’ changed his perspective.
“That night in Sarawak changed my life. I saw a crowd that was hungry for something more. I saw passion that had been waiting quietly for years,” he shared.
What stood out to him was not just enthusiasm, but potential. He said Sarawak was not lacking talent or love for music, but opportunity.
From that point, he decided to invest his energy in Sarawak, not only through performances, but by building platforms for the community.
“I made a promise to myself that I would help build something here. Not just events, but a movement. A platform for the community that had been waiting for someone to believe in them,” he added.
Growing a movement
Since then, Ming has been involved in expanding Sarawak’s EDM presence, including through the Borderland Music Festival he spearheads. He believes Sarawak’s audience is one of its strongest assets.
“I always tell people that Sarawak has one of the best crowds I’ve ever performed for,” he said.
Despite limited exposure in earlier years, he described local audiences as knowledgeable and open to diverse sounds, adding that international artists have also taken notice.
During Borderland Music Festival 2025, Ming said DJ Gammer described Sarawak as one of the best crowds he had experienced in his 25-year career, while Dutch duo, W&W, who headlined in 2024, also praised the energy of the audience.
“It is not just praise. It is validation for the entire community,” he said.
He described the local scene’s development as steady.
“The growth has been very powerful and inspiring. We are definitely moving in the right direction.”
Building an ecosystem
Ming credited the support of Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, along with Deputy Ministers, Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan, for helping raise Sarawak’s profile within the global EDM landscape.
“Sarawak is slowly but surely being placed on the global EDM map,” he said.
Despite that momentum, he noted the industry remains in a growth phase, with Sarawak still a young market compared to bigger cities.
Local suppliers, production teams and creative partners are developing alongside the scene, while scaling up to meet international festival standards continues to present challenges, particularly in logistics and technical capacity.
“Building an ecosystem takes time. There are challenges, but it is part of a natural growth process. We are learning together, improving together, and building something sustainable,” he said.
Ming also stressed the importance of international exposure for local talents, describing it as a two-way exchange.
“It allows local talents to expand their horizons and understand global standards. More importantly, it allows our artists to carry Sarawak’s name to the world. And when international artists come here and experience our culture, they bring our story back with them,” he added.
A vision for Sarawak
As Sarawak’s EDM scene continues to evolve, Ming said his approach has always centred on community rather than competition. He believes collaboration strengthens the ecosystem and creates opportunities that benefit everyone involved.
“If we look at the bigger picture and focus on building together, this will make the community better and benefit all of us,” he said.
He reiterated that his drive has never been about status or attention, but a deep passion for electronic music and the culture built around it. That perspective shapes his long-term vision beyond individual success.
“My vision is to see Sarawak become one of the leading EDM hubs in Southeast Asia,” he said.
He added that his goal is for local talents to perform confidently on international stages while audiences experience world-class productions without having to leave home.
“And I want the world to see that this is not just an EDM destination, but a showcase of our unity and heritage, expressed through music.
“EDM is not just about parties. It is about unity, culture and community. And I truly believe Sarawak is ready,” he said.
