Putrajaya & Other GLC 's refused to help Penang’s arts festival, says CM, How embarrassing?


The Penang chief minister (pic) said festival director Joe Sidek attempted to contact various federal government agencies for funding but had little success. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Lim Guan Eng revealed today that the federal government had refused any involvement in Penang’s George Town Festival, despite the event’s objective to boost tourism and promote the city’s Unesco World Heritage Site listing.

The Chief Minister told a press conference that attempts had been made by event organisers to seek aid from federal government agencies, including the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, an agency under the Tourism Ministry, but no help had been extended.

Lim, however, said the state government was still willing to welcome any form of support from the federal government to ensure the event’s success.

“We welcome any support from any quarter, including the federal government. We will not limit ourselves.

“We are more than happy to meet them and we tried through (festival director) Joe Sidek but without much success ... if it comes from me, I think it would be even more difficult. I have no leverage at all,” he said after attending the launch of the festival at the Lot 10 shopping centre here this morning.

The George Town Festival 2011, to be held in July this year, is an annual month-long event to celebrate the city’s Unesco World Heritage listing, which was granted in 2008.

It was first held last year and featured some 80 arts programmes such as theatre, music, dance, opera, food, fashion and photography, involving over 1,000 local and international performers.

At the press conference, Joe expressed disappointment that his attempt to seek help from Tourism Malaysia had been turned down, pointing out that the event was “apolitical”.

“We do not have any government agencies helping ... not even Malaysia Airlines. This is embarrassing and I am saying this publicly because here we have even the US embassy offering help and other companies and agencies, who want to nurture this festival.

“We cannot organise an event of this magnitude without help from anyone.

“I have actually written to and seen Tourism Malaysia and I raised my hands because I was told that Penang should be doing things for itself and here we are trying ... this is not a festival that belongs to Guan Eng or (Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr) Ng Yen Yen but to the people of George Town,” he said.

Joe also complimented Lim for allowing him a free hand to run the festival without dictating terms and using politics to interfere with his work.

He added that the state had spent RM400,000 for last year’s festival and earned RM26,000 in profit.

The state, he added, had agreed to increase this year’s allocation to RM1.2 million.

“But even then, we still have to raise at least RM4 million,” he said.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider later, Joe noted that the objective of the festival was not merely to invite popular stars to showcase their talents but to grant freedom to the people to take ownership of their country and express their love for the state.

“We have world class talents here too ... people like Datuk Jimmy Choo, Zang Toi ... but they did it on their own, with no help from the government.

“Where is our Istana Budaya on the world map? What are we doing with it? Where are we going? We need to raise the bar for ourselves. We want to showcase Malaysia and it’s not about getting people to come and clap their hands but we need to sustain it and spend the money well,” he said.

He pointed out that the government often spent funds for “frivolous art festivals” without gaining any return on their investments and without showing any accountability.

“I do not want to become political but Malaysians must wake up. I am not angry with anyone per se but this is what is happening.

“Guan Eng entrusted me with the full responsibility of handling this project and this is the best project I have ever undertaken because he gave me an empty canvass to paint and draw on,” he said.

The George Town Festival 2011, to be held in the month of July, will feature over 80 programmes including theatre, music, dance, film, art, opera, food, fashion, photography and inspirational talks.

The gala opening on July 1 entitled “Peranakan Penang” is a cultural and fashion showcase of Peranakan jewellery paired with evening dresses from the collections of New York-based top Malaysian designers like Yeohlee and Zang Toi.

Other event highlights include the “Dinner@8, an exclusive black-tie party where eight international chefs will battle for the title of “Top Chef” at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang.

There will also be a “Nasi Kandar Festival” programme featuring 500 nasi kandar outlets, a lecture/monologue performance titled “No. 7” inspired by the seventh wife of Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze, several photography displays, a gala operatic concert by Pro Musica, a dance performance entitled “Vertical Road” by Akram Khan and a mixed media performance encompassing light design, dance, music and visuals called “River meets Light” in addition to other programmes.

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