A traditional musician has called on the government to strengthen support for the arts industry in Budget 2026, particularly through grants and funding to ensure the sustainability of dancers, musicians and other creative talents.
Sape player and arts performer Anderson Kalang said many musical and cultural practitioners rely heavily on personal funds to sustain their craft, investing in costumes, accessories, instruments and long hours of training, often with little recognition or financial assistance.
"For myself, I am a dancer. I started dancing using my own income, collecting all the accessories on my own. When we are invited to perform, people don’t see the investments we have made - the hours of training, the cost of our costumes.
"It is the same for musicians, who spend years learning and investing in expensive equipment,” he said.
Sarawak-born Kalang, who plays and sells the traditional sape, said while such efforts help promote cultural awareness, financial backing from the government remains crucial to sustain practitioners and preserve traditional arts.
The sape has echoed through longhouses along the rivers of central Sarawak for centuries, its gentle yet melancholic notes accompanying rituals of healing, storytelling and thanksgiving.
Today, this traditional lute-like instrument has transcended its ceremonial roots, emerging as a symbol of cultural pride and national heritage.
Kalang said that the sape has begun to attract interest and is being embraced by Malaysians as part of the country's shared cultural identity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, is scheduled to table Budget 2026 in Parliament on Friday. - Bernama
