By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 27: Sarawak today has begun its attempt to enter the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) with the longest 76-hour non-stop ‘bermukun’ performance by 76 performers.
Bermukun is a traditional Sarawak music arts which involves singing, dancing and recital of pantun (verses) accompanied by drums.
The live broadcast performance, which is underway at the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Kuching Auditorium, started at 5pm and will go on until next Monday (May 30) at 9pm.
The programme is aired live on TV1 via ‘Berita Ehwal Semasa’ and ‘Selamat Pagi Malaysia’; RTM Sarawak’s Facebook page and RTM Sarawak radio stations like SARAWAKfm, WAIfm, SIBUfm, SRI AMANfm, MIRIfm and LIMBANGfm.
It is a joint initiative of Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) and RTM, held in conjunction with RTM’s 76th anniversary celebration this year.
According to MTCP Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the ministry has already included the bermukun performance as part of its various programmes every year such as the Sarawak Drums Festival.
“However, due to Covid-19, we weren’t able to organise the Sarawak Drums Festival which is held in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta.
“Usually, the festival would attract a lot of participants not only from other divisions in the State but also from Sabah, Labuan and Brunei,” he said in a press conference after officiating RTM’s ‘Juh Bermukun’ performance held at RTM Kuching’s auditorium today.
Previously, a similar bermukun performance was also held in 2004, but for only 50 hours.
Also present was RTM Broadcasting director-general Dato Che Roslan Che Daud, RTM Sarawak Broadcasting director Nasrul Hakim Nor; RTM Sabah Broadcasting director Zulkefli Mohd and RTM Labuan Broadcasting director Aminah Samsudin Mohd. — DayakDaily
