Batam Positions Malay Arts Festival as Gateway to Cultural Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Batam is showcasing Indonesia's rich Malay heritage to international audiences through the 2026 Kenduri Seni Melayu (KSM), a three‑day cross-border cultural festival featuring artists and performers from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand.

The event, held July 3–5, is designed to strengthen Batam’s appeal as a cultural tourism hub.

Head of Batam’s Culture and Tourism Agency, Ardiwinata, noted that KSM has repeatedly been included in Karisma Event Nusantara, a national calendar of curated cultural events.

“It is a significant achievement, as the selection process involves 14 curators across Indonesia,” he said on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

International participants this year include dance troupes from Johor and Sabah in Malaysia, alongside performers from Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand. Indonesian groups are also joining, among them Sanggar Tari Laksamana from Pekanbaru, Riau.

“We hope KSM will continue to reinforce Batam’s role as a gateway for cultural tourism while introducing Malay identity to the international stage,” Ardiwinata added.

The festival will also showcase prominent Malay artists, including Malaysian singer Ruslan Madun--known for Lemak Manis Ala Amboy‑Amboy--and Indonesian dance maestro Didik Nini Thowok, who will make his debut at Batam’s KSM.

Students are invited to learn directly from these masters, with the aim of inspiring future scholars and practitioners of Malay arts.

Around 60 performances are scheduled, ranging from Batam’s intangible cultural heritage Tari Jogi and traditional silat demonstrations to Joget Kenangan Manis, batik workshops, and live painting sessions.

Acting Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Hafiz Agung Rifai, described KSM as one of the flagship programs in Karisma Event Nusantara 2026.

“Batam’s strategic position as Indonesia’s main tourism gateway bordering neighboring countries makes Kenduri Seni Melayu more than an artistic celebration; it is a stage to present Malay identity to the world,” he said.

For participants, the festival also marks new milestones. Chair of the Sabah Dance Troupe, Meimei, expressed excitement about their first appearance in Batam. “We are bringing Tari Zapin, usually performed at major events in Malaysia, with our eight best dancers,” she said. ***