Malaysian Youths Told to Preserve Traditional Music

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's younger generation should continue to preserve traditional music in the country and the Southeast Asian region as it reflects the regional community's identity, according to National Culture and Arts Department director-general Norliza Rofli. "Even though we are entertained by various forms of modern music it is important that we continue to empower traditional music as it is the origin of today's music. We need to appreciate and preserve traditional music for it is the identity of Malaysians that differentiates us from other nationalities," Norliza said when closing the Asean Traditional Music Camp here last Saturday. The four-day camp was held for the first time which gathered 40 traditional musicians from the Asean region. It objective was to create a network among countries in the region to continue preserving traditional music in their respective communities. Norliza said the camp was in line with the government's efforts to enhance national traditional music at the international level. "The camp gives Asean traditional musicians opportunity to share experience and find ways to rejuvenate traditional music among the younger generation," she said. -- BERNAMA