By: Aida Aziz
IPOH: The recognition of Ipoh as a UNESCO Creative City of Music by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is expected to act as a catalyst for the sustainability of the local music industry.
This confidence was expressed by the Chairman of the Music Authors’ Copyright Protection (MACP), Datuk M Nasir Mohamed, who also hopes for a strategic collaboration with the Ipoh City Council (MBI), as previously planned.
“The MACP would like to extend its highest congratulations on the highest accolade from UNESCO, which has named Ipoh as the Creative City of Music in Malaysia.
“The MACP is also proud of Ipoh’s prestigious achievement, and we hope it will elevate local music onto the international stage.
“As representatives of music copyright holders, including composers, lyricists, and music publishers, we believe that this recognition can serve as a catalyst for the sustainability of the music industry and further enhance the local music culture that has been nurtured for so long,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
In this regard, he stated that they would continue their initiatives to engage in discussions with the MBI to help plan and energize Creative City of Music activities in Ipoh.
On Wednesday, the media reported that Ipoh has now joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the music category.
According to UNESCO’s official website statement, the state capital of Perak is now recognized as one of the 55 new cities that have joined the UCCN in conjunction with World Cities Day on Tuesday.
With this new addition, the network now comprises 350 cities in over 100 countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Sixteen cities worldwide, including Mexicali, Caracas, and Banja Luka, have been recognized in the music category, alongside Ipoh.
In 2022, the Mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, proposed that the city be nominated as a Creative City Network member in the music specialization to position Ipoh as the most vibrant city in the country.
