SANDAKAN: The music of the Sepilok Jazz Festival may last only two nights, but for the sea turtles of Pulau Libaran, its echoes could travel much further.
That is the hope behind the festival, of which the proceeds would be channelled to the Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research (Foster) for its conservation work on the island off Sandakan.
For founder Alexander Yee, the event’s impact should go beyond the money raised.
He believes music can bring people closer to conservation and more importantly, inspire them to carry that message beyond the two-day event.
“Awareness creation is long-term work. You cannot expect us to tell someone, ‘Please protect the environment’ and then see an immediate change the next day,” he said.
Yee said that for the past two years, Foster has taken musicians to Pulau Libaran, giving them a first-hand look at the sea turtle conservation efforts being carried out there.
“The experience appeared to have stayed with them long after they left.
“Whenever we connect with them, they continue to discuss their experience on the island, and they will undoubtedly share it with many others.
“If we keep doing this work, the multiplier effect will be huge,” he said, adding that Foster also collaborates with WWF-Malaysia to conduct marine education programmes in schools.
Apart from raising awareness of the conservation of turtles, Sepilok Jazz is increasingly becoming a platform for nurturing Sabah’s young musical talent.
Through Bakat Sepilok Jazz, aspiring musicians are given a chance to compete and eventually perform before an audience.
Yee said the programme drew 135 entries this year, the highest number so far.
Young musicians from four Sabah schools also participated in workshops before performing on the main stage, learning alongside experienced jazz musicians.
“Neither conservation awareness nor musical talent can be built overnight.
“But with every musician who leaves Pulau Libaran talking about its turtles and every young performer given a stage in Sepilok, I believe small steps can eventually leave a much bigger mark,” he said.
Sepilok Jazz, held on Sept 4 and 5 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, is now in its fifth edition.
For Foster, the hope is that when the rainforest falls quiet again, the message carried through the music will continue to be heard elsewhere.
