KUCHING: The haze may have clouded the skies, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of festival goers who turned up for Borderland Music Festival 2026 here.
Among those attending were music lovers who said their excitement to experience the festival outweighed their concerns over the outdoor conditions, with many choosing to take precautions while keeping an eye on the air quality.
For 30-year-old Fizul, Borderland 2026 was an event he had been looking forward to for some time, making the haze less of a reason to stay away.
“I’ve been looking forward to Borderland 2026 for quite some time, so I didn’t want the haze to completely stop me from coming.
“The festival is a special experience, especially being able to enjoy the atmosphere and music together with friends,” he said to reporters on Friday.
However, Fizul admitted that the haze was still a concern before he decided to attend, particularly because the festival involved spending a long period outdoors.
“I was aware of the haze and I did have some concerns, especially about the air quality and being outdoors for a long period.
“But I decided to come while taking the necessary precautions and keeping an eye on the conditions,” he said.
For him, the festival offered more than music, providing an opportunity to step away from everyday routines, meet new people and create lasting memories with friends.
Similar sentiments were shared by 31-year-old Khairul, who said his passion for the festival encouraged him to attend despite the hazy conditions.
He admitted being “a bit” concerned about the haze but chose not to let it prevent him from experiencing what the festival had to offer.
“For me, it is about experiencing what we don’t usually have here, from all sides of the world,” he said, describing the festival as an opportunity to experience something beyond the usual entertainment available locally.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Magdline Melai said she was excited to attend the festival with her friends and did not want the haze to take away from the experience.
She acknowledged having some concerns about the air quality but said she decided to attend while taking precautions and monitoring the haze situation.
“For me, it is a great opportunity to enjoy live music, meet people and experience something different from my usual routine,” she said.
Another returning festival goer, 35-year-old Mary Remaya Nasat, said she had been looking forward to Borderland and was determined not to let the haze stop her from attending.
“Honestly, I’ve been looking forward to Borderland for quite some time, so I didn’t want the haze to stop me.
“I just wanted to come, enjoy the music and have a good time with my friends,” she said.
Mary said she was slightly worried about being outdoors but decided to attend while taking the necessary precautions.
She also described Borderland as an opportunity to make memories, spend time with friends and take a break from everyday life.
Having attended the festival previously, Mary said she was particularly excited to return this year and see the Kenyalang Warriors back home.
While the festival goers remained enthusiastic, they stressed that safety should not be overlooked.
They advised those planning to attend to check the latest air-quality situation, stay hydrated and take appropriate precautions, while putting health first if conditions become unhealthy.
For these festival goers, the haze may have been part of the challenge, but their passion for music, friendship and the Borderland experience kept them coming back.
