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NST Online: StreetsJohor

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 05:29 PM PDT

State of 'keroncong' on the upbeat

2011/06/19
By Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed

MORE than 2,000 keroncong enthusiasts were enthralled by the performances of 16 ensembles from Johor, Indonesia and Singapore at the recent Keroncong Gala Festival at the MBJB indoor stadium.

It was the first such event to be organised by Yayasan Warisan Johor (Johor Heritage Foundation).

The keroncong groups were from YWJ, state district government departments and institutions of higher learning. Also there by special invitation were high-profile groups from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Fans, some from as far as Muar, thronged the venue as early as 6pm to grab places nearest the stage to be closer to their idols.

M. Nasir, Zarina AF, Asmida Ahmad and Adila Idris were among the stars of the festival.

Guest-of-honour was Johor Rural and Regional Development committee chairman Asiah Mohd Ariff.

The audience were swept off their feet by the melodious sounds of Kumpulan Keroncong Harmoni Chinese from Bandung, Indonesia, who added traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, bu-ching, pipa and dulcimer to the standard keroncong set.

Indonesian group Congrock 17 from Semarang stirred the audience, notably the younger set, with a string of pop and rock hits.

The moniker "Congrock" is a combination of the names of the genres "keroncong" and "rock".

Except for the flute and the violin, the group's instruments were electrically amplified. The tenor saxophone and the trumpet added strength to the ensemble's harmonisation.

The keroncong, originating from Indonesia, typically consists of two ukulele-type instruments known as cak and cuk, the flute, violin, melody guitar, cello, double bass and a female or male vocalist.

It was introduced to Johor by Javanese immigrants, and highlighted by YWJ 20 years ago.

The versatile M. Nasir looked a little weary but exhibited excellent showmanship as he belted out three of his hits, Keroncong Untuk Ana, Mustika and Srikandi Cinta Ku. Thunderous applause greeted the end of his performance.

Asmida, Zarina AF and Adila Idris were also in superb form as they each crooned Pulau Aur, Aksi Kucing and Aku dan Dia, respectively.

The four artistes were accompanied by musicians from the YWJ orchestra conducted by the foundation's music director Jaafar Abdul Rahman Idris, better known as Jari.

Ali Isa, 29, from Pasir Gudang, was on the upbeat after an evening of excellent entertainment.

"All of the performances were excellent. It was also pleasant to listen to English pop hits played keroncong-style," said the school teacher who sat through a three-hour traffic jam to reach the venue.

Three days prior to the performance, the 16 ensembles performed at four venues for the benefit of fans who wanted to avoid the mad rush of gala night.

The shows were at IOI Mall in Kulaijaya, JB Night Bazaar in Lengaran Segget, Kompleks Pasir Gudang and Johor Tokoh Muzium in Jalan Yayha Aldatar.

There was also a muscians' workshop at New York Hotel in Jalan Abdullah Tahir.

There was a session for the music groups to get to know one another, and a talk on keroncong by YWJ culture officer Jaafar Ismail. Congrock 17 performed later, to the delight of the participants.

Participant Osman Md Ali Rawa said: "Today's input enhanced my perception of contemporary keroncong."

The 53-year-old music lecturer is from Temenggong Teachers' Institute, which students performed at the three-day festival.

At the festival's close, a joyful Jari proclaimed this year's edition to be by far the best and most exciting.

"Following this is the state-level keroncong ensemble competition," he said.

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12-year abandoned project revived

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 08:09 AM PDT

Senator Gan Ping Sieu (right) addressing the home buyers at the dialogue session.

THE Taman Mengkibol housing project, which has been abandoned for the past 12 years, will be given a new lease of life come September.

Also known as Success Villa, the project will see the revival of 440 low-cost and terrace houses.

Kluang MCA chairman Senator Gan Ping Sieu said the project will be completed within 18 months.

He said this during a dialogue with the 200-odd buyers in Kluang recently.

Present were representatives from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Bank Negara, Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB), liquidators and also members from the Taman Mengkibol House Buyers Committee.

About 20 per cent of the low-cost flats have been completed and 351 units have been sold.

The single- and double-storey terrace homes are between 50 and 80 per cent complete.

House buyers will have to pay an additional 10 per cent based on the new hire purchase agreement due to the increase in the price of building materials. However, the low-cost homeowners are exempted from this.

Gan said the Housing and Local Government Ministry will appoint a liquidator, through the courts, who will be given the full authority to deal with the buyers and coordinate with the contractors.

"We need to ensure that the abandoned project can be rehabilitated according to the given time frame," said Gan.

He said buyers who did not attend the dialogue session at the Kluang Municipal Council Hall on June 16 can surf the Internet and visit the Taman Mengkibol Facebook page for more information.

"I am glad that there was positive feedback from the parties concerned even though the project had been abandoned for 12 years."

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Isnin, 20 Jun 2011