MIRI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL: FEEL THE BEAT

MIRI (Malaysia), March 6 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Dr
George Chan wants the locals to "feel the beat" and appreciate the significance
of the Miri International Jazz Festival (MIJF).

He said the locals could benefit from the event by adding value to tourists'
experience during their stay here.

"We can bring in the bands, we can bring in the people (tourists), but it is
up to them (the locals) to make the place enjoyable to tourists so that they can
keep on coming back," he told a news conference on the progress of preparation
for the MIJF which will be held from May 14 to 15.

Miri is located in the north of the east Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Eight bands from the United States, Holland, Brazil, Indonesia, Denmark,
Germany and Switzerland will take part in the festival which was incepted in
2005.

Dr Chan said the presence of a substantial number of expatriates here as
well as in Brunei, Sabah and Labuan contributed a lot in making up the audience
for the festival in the last four years.

Nevertheless, he said the locals could further reap the benefits from the
event by adding value to the tourists' stay during the period.

"Treat them well and they will eventually become 'ambassadors' who will tell
good things about our country," he added.

-- BERNAMA