WHAT does it actually take for Sarawak to become the main hub for international concerts in Malaysia?
The answer may sound simple, the process on the other hand is not, and although Sarawak’s track record of being capable to host major international events such as Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and Borneo Jazz Festival, it is still a long way for the state to be finally able to host major international concerts.
One way or the other, there are a lot of industries that will benefit from international events like this, most notably the hotel, food and beverages and public transportation, to name a few.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke with some of the event managers who have been working in the event industry to get to know their insights and opinions.
FEATURING THEIR FAVOURITE ARTISTS
Joachim Then, an event manager who has been in the industry for over a decade, said that among the aspects the state can improve is to organise an international concert that features the people’s favourite artistes.
“I can see that those who are between the ages of late 20s to the early 30s seem to be very divided on whether they are going to spend their money on a concert or festival. For instance, if they are not a big fan of any of their artistes’ line-up, they would be very reluctant, especially the ones that they are not a big fan of.
“Whereas people my age, if we see somebody that we like, we would instantly go regardless of whether we are a big fan of that artiste or not.
“The other day, I was hanging out with my friends and I told them I’m going to another concert, and they asked me why would you spent your money just to go to a concert, and I told them I spent it for the sake of experience,” he stated.
He felt that the people are currently in a transition where they would pay for a concert for the sake of the experience even though that might cost them a large sum of money.
CHALLENGES WHILE PURSUING GOALS
Selina Lee, another event manager, who has been in the industry for more than eight years felt that manpower is one of the biggest challenges that she often faces while working on a major event.
“At the same time, because everything is finally opened after the pandemic, there are more job opportunities for those who are interested to work in the event industry.
“Because the state government has developed so many opportunities, the younger generation has been given a lot of chance to learn about technical skills and that can be applied to hold major concerts in the future,” she said.
She added that in pursuing the goals, the capacity should be discussed further in order to avoid inconveniences.
“What we can see is that, we might need to have a space to hold such a major concert.
“One we should consider is that, if there are international events like these, there will be a lot of tourists coming in,” she said.
Meanwhile Then also explained that in Sarawak, there are not many options on venues for concerts catering to a large audience, especially if the crowd is between 30,000 people and above.
“Aside from the Sarawak Culture Village and State Stadium, where else can we hold a concert for a large audience? Because of that, organisers would have to consider when they would hold a concert, which venue would they have to book.
“I feel that the state could consider building another large stadium that can cater for a huge audience for concerts and other events.
“I heard that they are doing the second Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK2), which is a good thing for future international events,” he said.
FACILITIES, AMENITIES AND STADIUM
To improve the facilities, amenities and venues such as stadiums that could cover a large type of audience is one of the most important steps for Sarawak to become the main hub for international concerts in Malaysia.
Then explained that even though Sarawak has some of the best sound equipment out there, some other aspects need to be improved further.
“For me, in terms of technicality, such as the sound system that could cater to a large-scale concert, and setting up a very nice stage, we are capable of that, without a doubt,” he said.
He also suggested the state should continue to work on increasing more direct flight connectivity to Sarawak.
“Because to me, direct flight connectivity is very important, as this is for us to attract more tourists to come to Sarawak.
“In my experience, the one thing I wish is to not having to go through transit flights. And if more direct flight connectivity is being done, everything would be easier,” he said.
The other aspect he suggested is the further improvement of public transport, especially if the concert is held far away from the city.
“Especially among the tourists who are staying at hotels in the city, let’s say if the concert finishes late at midnight, and public transport is no longer available during those hours, they would be stranded and could not head back to their hotel or homestay.
“If more public transport is available, it would be a good thing for them as their safety is also important, from the venues of the concert and back to their place,” he added.
On the other hand, Lee further suggested better and well-maintained venues such as stadiums should be built.
“In terms of facilities and amenities, I think we are capable of accommodating a large number of visitors.
“We not only have hotels, but we have home-stays, budget hotels for visitors to enjoy their stay here,” she added.
FLEXIBILITY ON RULES AND REGULATION
Then agreed when Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said previously that as long as the artistes are not naked on stage, they are welcome to perform in Sarawak.
“I mean if you have to go to a concert outside of Malaysia, some of the artistes only wear underwear when they perform on stage.
“Of course, here we cannot do that, as we do still have those rules and regulation, at the same time I feel that us in Sarawak, we were quite lenient, just as long as you are not naked on stage, it should be fine.
“I do agree with his statement,” he said.
Lee then emphasised that international concerts generate such a large source of revenue not only to the organisers, but to other industries as well.
“I feel that we should loosen up a little bit more, and I hope some people would see how this would benefit us economically.
“Every industry is going to get advantages from international events like this,” she added.
At the same time, she further explained that to loosen up a bit does not mean that the artistes can break the law.
“They should still follow and comply by the rules and regulation, and not breaking it or else there would be consequences, not only towards the artistes, but also towards the organisers as well,” she added.
EXPECTATION ON SUPPOSED DEVELOPMENT
Then hopes that once the development ever happens in the near future, job opportunities will be opened for anyone who is interested.
“You do not have to be an expert on event management to know that events like this would create thousands of job opportunities.
“At the same time, whenever international artistes especially the megastar would come to Kuching, do not expect that only people from Sarawak are going to come, there will be people from all over Malaysia, even Singapore, Indonesia and other countries will come to Kuching.
“From there, I expect other industries such as hotels will benefit from this, and they are going to need more workers to cater the service as well,” he said.
He then explained that other industries such as the food and beverage industries will also benefit from the incoming tourists.
“This is because they would not eat packed foods, they would instead try out our local cuisines.
“Plus vendors also can sell their own food and merchandise outside of the stadium where the concert is being held.
“From there we can see how it would boost the state’s economy from international events like this,” he added.
Then stated that everything must in tandem with each other and not confined to just one aspect.
“Facilities, amenities, stadium, public transportations, even direct flight connectivity must be aligned together so that the entire world can see that Sarawak is indeed a well-put and capable of international concerts,” he added.
Lee, on the other hand, hopes that Sarawakians, most specifically Kuching folk should start to prepare for this type of development.
“This is because there will be more business for everyone, and I hope the state will allow more local event management to handle not just international concerts, but also other events in the future.
“Of course, we also need more food and beverage business to open, and most importantly the equipment must be improved up to the highest standard as possible,” she added.
She also hopes that more expertise will appear to coordinate and navigate such large scale concerts.
“For instance, in Kuala Lumpur they have many international concerts and that is because they have much more experience.
“Although Sarawak is still new to this, we are progressing and catching up, and I hope we will get to that position in the future,” she added.
