KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s creative industries can build careers, generate income and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people, Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and the Creative Economy Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said.
Speaking at the official closing ceremony of the “Tradition in Tune” 2026 Sabah International Music, Culture & Arts Festival, Nizam congratulated the Persatuan Pentas Anak Seni Malaysia (PPASM) for organising the event, describing initiatives of this kind as an investment in human capital and the future of Sabah’s creative industries.
He said young people should seize available opportunities, seek guidance and build experience, while recognising that success requires more than talent alone.
“Talent must be accompanied by discipline, strong skills, a good work ethic, the ability to communicate, and a willingness to keep learning and improving,” he said.
Nizam also highlighted the range of careers behind a successful performance, including sound and lighting technicians, stage managers, graphic designers, content producers, video editors and event managers.
He urged festival organisers, educational institutions, industry professionals and strategic partners to assess the event’s success not only by attendance or its scale, but by its lasting benefits to the community.
He called for promising young talent to be connected with mentors and industry professionals, and for heritage practitioners to have opportunities to share their knowledge. Small creative businesses, he added, should be supported in reaching wider markets.
A three-day festival could mark the beginning of a young person’s long-term career journey if its outcomes were followed up through collaboration, training, business opportunities and continued talent development, he said.
Nizam also stressed the importance of preserving traditional arts and culture, saying heritage and innovation should progress together to maintain Sabah’s cultural identity while creating new opportunities.
He thanked international delegations, diplomatic representatives and overseas participants for joining the festival, saying their presence had strengthened friendship, understanding and cultural cooperation.
Nizam concluded by declaring the festival officially closed, expressing hope that its theme, “Cultural Rhythms, the Soul of a Nation”, would continue to bring heritage and innovation together and inspire a creative, knowledgeable and competitive generation of Sabahans.-BNN
