By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
KUALA LANGAT, Sept 3 — The state government plans to further expand Orang Asli cultural programmes, subsequently strengthening Selangor’s position as the country’s main tourist destination.
Executive councillor for culture Borhan Aman Shah said programmes like cultural performances by the Mah Meri tribe have the ability to promote the Orang Asli heritage at the international level.
“The Mah Meri performance should not only be performed in villages,” he said after officiating the Festival Merakyatkan Seni Budaya Mah Meri@Selangor at the Orang Asli Craft Centre, Kampung Sungai Bumbun in Pulau Carey, here, yesterday.
“Discussions will be held with the Orang Asli Development Department to bring this performance overseas.
“We will promote not just the act of dance, but also Selangor Orang Asli’s traditional musical instruments and food heritage to countries such as Brunei, Thailand and Singapore.”
Selangor, for the first time, hosted a cultural exchange programme in Indonesia from June 9 to 13 this year, aimed at promoting the state’s art and heritage to the global community.
Among the programmes and activities conducted were the promotion of native music and cempuling art, cultural performances, and dialogue sessions.
Following the successful organisation of the event at the Malaysia Hall in Jakarta, the Indonesian government has expressed its intention of making a return visit to Selangor to learn the art of cempuling and native music.
