Indonesia's plate dance and fire attraction captivate visitors at Sarawak's Borneo Carnival

The performance of the plate dance and fire attraction from West Sumatra captivated visitors at the Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival (TOBC) 4.0, held at the Boulevard Commercial Centre in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, on Saturday night. The performance, which combined agile movements, the rhythmic clinking of plates, and a spectacular fire attraction, became one of the cultural presentations that most seized the attention of festival-goers. The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Kuching stated that the Indonesian delegation’s performance, presented by the Sanggar Tari Rumah Pintar Panyakalan from Solok, successfully introduced the richness of Minangkabau traditional arts to the Malaysian public and international tourists. The attraction not only entertained but also represented the values of dexterity, harmony, and the life philosophy of the Minangkabau people, which has been passed down through generations. On the cultural performance night, Indonesia appeared alongside art delegations from China, Brunei Darussalam, and the Malaysian state of Sabah, who also showcased their respective cultural riches. Indonesia’s participation in TOBC 4.0 was facilitated by the KJRI Kuching in cooperation with the Minangkabau Economic and Cultural Movement (GEBU Minang) and supported by the Provincial Government of West Sumatra through the Office of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (KUKM). In addition to cultural performances, Indonesia also presented seven small and medium enterprise (SME) operators from West Sumatra who promoted a variety of superior products, ranging from rendang, coffee, and spices to traditional fabrics and distinctive Minangkabau handicrafts. ‘Through TOBC, Indonesia brings the ’Taste of Minangkabau’ to Miri as part of an effort to introduce the cultural richness, cuisine, and tourism potential of West Sumatra to the people of Sarawak and the international community,’ said Consul General Abdullah Zulkifli. He conveyed that the presence of the Indonesian delegation in Miri aimed to introduce the richness of Minangkabau culture through cuisine, performing arts, and handicrafts. According to him, West Sumatra possesses a cultural heritage, natural beauty, and cuisine that have gained worldwide recognition, including rendang as one of the icons of Indonesian gastronomy. The Consul General also invited the people of Sarawak and the international community to visit West Sumatra directly to enjoy its natural beauty, cultural richness, and the hospitality of the Minangkabau people. He said the visitors’ enthusiasm for the plate dance and fire attraction reflected the great appreciation of the people of Sarawak for Indonesia’s cultural wealth. Through participation in TOBC 4.0, the KJRI Kuching continues to encourage the use of arts and culture as a means to strengthen people-to-people relations, while simultaneously promoting SME products and Indonesia’s tourism potential.