Among the successful programmes under WAVE 2021 is the ‘Program Main Zapin Aswara 2022’ at the Asean level which involves 6 countries

by AZALEA AZUAR

THE Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) launched the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara) 2022 Calendar, as well as the World Arts Education and Culture Events (WAVE) 2021 Festival yesterday.

The event was officiated by Motac Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and was attended by Motac secretary general Datuk Wira Dr Noor Zari Hamat, Aswara chairman Prof Ts Dr Ruslan Abdul Rahim, its rektor, board members and top management.

According to Nancy, the strategic cooperation networks especially in the tourism and culture sectors play an important role in boosting the country’s image and visibility internationally.

“The Motac Strategic Plan 2021-2025 includes collaboration with industry experts through programmes which contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country, industrial competitiveness and the recognition of its valuable assets.

“Therefore, the WAVE 2021 festival is another one of Motac’s successes through Aswara for us to redouble our commitment towards a progressive 2022,” she said in her opening remarks.

This year, a total of 162 programmes have been planned and will be conducted both online and physically and out of the 12 are implemented in conjunction with WAVE 2021.

“Among the successful programmes and activities under WAVE 2021 is the “Program Main Zapin Aswara 2022” at the Asean level which involves six countries — Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia as the host.

The WAVE 2021 Festival is another one of Motac’s successes through Aswara for us to redouble our commitment towards a progressive 2022, says Nancy

Pic by Hussein Shaharuddin

“This involves primary schools, secondary schools and universities,” Nancy added.

Moreover, the “Kemala Irama 4.0 Night Program” has successfully garnered 7,000 views, as well as the “Bangsawan Sinematik Si BongkokTanjung Puteri” which has attracted 6,900 viewers on Facebook.

As of last year, the academy has managed to organise a total of 325 programmes, both physically and virtually.

Aswara also provides capsule-shaped activities to raise awareness, understanding, experience and appreciation in art through workshops, seminars, forums, masterclasses, showcases and visual art exhibitions.

The ceremony has also witnessed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Aswara and the Sabah Institute of Dakwah Studies, which aims to introduce diplomas in Creative Dakwah and Digital Dakwah.

The MoU would enable the two parties to develop IPDAS’ modular skills training for its students and lecturers in multimedia and creative arts, as well as allow Aswara to develop its modules and share its expertise with them.

Moreover, Aswara has also signed another memorandum of agreement with the Royal Malay Army Regiment Central Band.

It is a joint venture between to offer Diploma in Music Arts holders to other ranks in the Malaysian Armed Forces in honing the skills of its band members.

These efforts aim to sustain Malaysia’s development in the arts, culture and heritage as well as being in line with the National Cultural Policy 2021.

Separately, the ministry said more than 20,000 tourism operators under Motac can apply for special assistance this year with an allocation of RM85 million from tomorrow until March 15.

Under this assistance, Travel Operating Business and Travel and Malaysia My Second Home operators can earn RM9,000, spa operators and foot massage centres would receive RM3,000, while tourists drivers and homestay operators would be paid RM1,500 and RM1,800 respectively.

“The payment would be implemented two times, starting from March and May 2022.

It is hoped that the initiative would assist the country’s tourism industry to continue to compete in reviving the national tourism sector,” Motac said in a statement.

The ministry has also channelled financial aids worth RM61 million to benefit 29,286 tourism industry practitioners last year and 2022’s financial assistance is meant to continue the government’s efforts in recovering the tourism sector, which is one of the worst-hit sectors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Motac is, therefore, aiming for industries to recover this year from the business downturn after two years.

The eligible applicants can apply for the Motac aid online via the official website www.motac.gov.my.