MALAYSIA NEEDS MORE CULTURAL FIGURES

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs more younger people who can bring the nation's creative industry to a higher level, said Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Joseph Salang.

Besides this, he said, Malaysia's heritage must also be preserved for future generations.

As such, he said he hoped the stakeholders concerned would intensify efforts to produce cultural icons for the nation as they were the best people to do so.

"The creative industry in the country must develop in tandem with other industries. By producing cultural icons, the industry can reach a new level where we can all be more proud of," he said when opening the "Gerak 2011" programme in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Festival here Wednesday night.

The programme, organised by the Information Communcation and Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Tourism Ministry and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry, will run for five nights at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) auditorium and will feature dance performances in various genres including Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporari, New Creations, TAP, Ballet, Afro-Brazil
as well as folk dances.