NUSANTARA@IPOH CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2025 LIVENS UP IPOH TOWN HALL

IPOH, 26 JULY 2025 – Dewan Bandaran Ipoh@TownHall reverberated with vibrant colours of culture tonight as the Nusantara@Ipoh Cultural Festival 2025 took place with great fanfare. Organised by the Ipoh City Council (MBI), this is the 4th edition and was held for the first time at the Ipoh Town Hall to evoke nostalgia for the iconic building that has become the symbol of the city’s administration.

This cultural festival aimed to elevate the value of local arts and culture, while strengthening international relations through cultural performances from various ethnicities and countries. It also highlighted elements of unity and harmony among races, in line with Ipoh city’s aspiration to be a city with identity.

The opening ceremony was officiated by State Tourism, Industry, Investment & Corridor Development Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee. He was accompanied by Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah, along with a lineup of distinguished guests, including State Treasurer Megat Amirul Zaini Jamalulail Megat Jamaluddin; MBI Chief Whip Clr. Dato’ Mazlan Abd Rahman; Kang Da-Eun, Secretary-General of TPO, Busan, Korea; Chutima Dechdee, Director of Education, Hatyai City Municipality; and a Representative of the Mayor of Medan, Indonesia.

Also enlivening the event were representatives from local authorities around Perak, including the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council President, representatives from Teluk Intan Municipal Council, Kampar District Council, Perak Tengah, Tapah and Kerian, as well as Councillors, department directors, officers and staff of MBI.

Among the groups that presented cultural performances were Kumpulan Kebudayaan & Kesenian Orang Asal Perak (PKKOP), Sekolah Seni Perak from Sungai Siput, Yencci Dance Ipoh, Kumpulan Selendang Perak (SUK Perak), Bhagra 'Dhol Star' Ipoh, Kumpulan Gendang Muhibbah / Perak Drum Muhibbah, Seremban City Council, Sumatera Ethnic Group from Kota Medan, Indonesia, Hatyai City Municipality from Thailand, and Gema Warisan Budaya of MBI.

The programme, which began at 9.00 pm, successfully attracted the attention of Ipoh residents, who came in droves to witness the various traditional dance and art performances that were presented with great enthusiasm and colour.

The Ipoh City Council expresses its highest appreciation to all parties who made this programme a success. Hopefully, the Nusantara@Ipoh Cultural Festival can continue as a platform for fostering the spirit of unity and celebrating cultural diversity at the local and international levels, thereby strengthening Ipoh's image as a city with culture and identity.