By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 16: The Sarawak government has allocated a Tourism Event Grant amounting to RM1 million to support the hosting of the 25th edition of Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM25), which will be held for the first time in Kuching on Sept 26 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasised that the allocation reflected the Sarawak government’s commitment to strengthening the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth and tourism development.
He said hosting the AIM25 in Kuching was a significant milestone for Sarawak as the Silver Jubilee edition of Malaysia’s longest-running and most prestigious music awards would make its debut in the State.
“The selection of Kuching, Sarawak as the host city for the AIM Silver Jubilee celebration is a great honour for our State because it is the first time the event is being held in the Land of the Hornbills,” he said in his speech text when announcing the AIM25 at a press conference held in Volume KL, The Arch Galleries in Kuala Lumpur today.
Abdul Karim said AIM25 would provide a platform to celebrate Malaysian musical talents and creativity while generating wider economic benefits for other sectors, including tourism, hospitality and local entrepreneurs.
He said the event would also allow Sarawak to showcase its unique culture, heritage and the warmth of its people to audiences nationwide.
“At the same time, it strengthens Sarawak’s aspiration to continue becoming a preferred destination for national and international events, particularly in arts, culture and the creative industry,” he said.
He also welcomed the introduction of new categories at AIM25, including Best Borneo Song, which recognises the rich cultural diversity, languages and musical heritage of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The category would create greater opportunities for talents from Borneo to gain recognition at the national level while strengthening the position of ethnic and local cultural music as part of Malaysia’s musical identity,” he added.
Abdul Karim highlighted that arts and culture should be viewed not only as heritage to be preserved but also as strategic assets capable of driving economic development, attracting investment and creating career opportunities for the younger generation in the creative sector.
“The Sarawak government through my Ministry remains confident that the arts and culture sector is an important asset that can propel economic development and open opportunities for young people to pursue their creativity and build careers in the creative industry,” he said.
Abdul Karim expressed confidence that AIM25’s success would be achieved through close cooperation between the government, industry bodies, broadcasters, strategic partners and the wider music ecosystem.
He also congratulated the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM), the Ministry of Communications, TV Sarawak (TVS) and all strategic partners involved in organising the AIM Silver Jubilee celebration.
He invited the Malaysian music industry community to attend AIM25 in Kuching, saying the event would not only celebrate excellence in Malaysian music but also provide an opportunity to introduce Sarawak’s cultural richness and attractions to the country. — DayakDaily
