KUCHING, July 5: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has congratulated local Sape player Alena Murang and her cousin Sarah Lois Dorai for winning big again at the United Kingdom’s International Music Video Awards.
With over 149,000 views worldwide now, he said their latest music video titled “Warrior Spirit” released May 27 on YouTube, had won the Best Asia & Pacific Music Video and received an Honourable Mention for Best Costume.
“Alena, together with her cousin Sarah has made us proud by putting Sarawak and Malaysia on the international music scene which is very competitive in nature, but both had shown to us that Sarawakian artistes are capable of using music as well as creative film making as the platforms in showcasing our rich traditional Sarawak and Borneo heritage.
“Both of them had also inspired our local youths to follow their footsteps especially in the music, creative and film making industry which offers limitless possibilities for the young generation to showcase their wonderful talents,” he said in a statement today.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth and Sports, said the music video was beautifully done and the storyboard was mesmerising to the viewers as it painted wonderful pictures of Sarawak.
He said Sarawak’s unique history, rich culture, arts and traditions had always been able to captivate the imagination of people from other countries simply because of the exotic nature the State is blessed with.
Meanwhile, he also commended another of Alena’s award-winning music video “Midang Midang” which was directed also by Sarah and co-produced by Kanid Studio and Project Room.
“Thumbs up to their creativity in taking inspiration from the diverse ethnic cultures, traditional dances and colourful costumes found in Sarawak which were showcased in the entire video that had related the spirit of local warriors, their strength and courage in fighting together for a bigger cause,” said Abdul Karim. — DayakDaily
