Rainforest World Music Festival Of Sarawak Returns In June 2022

By Anthony Tan
VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Are you ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) from 17-19 June after the physical event has been put on hold over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RWMF, with its humble beginnings in 1998, attracted a small crowd of about 300 music enthusiasts but at its last count of in 2019 before the Covid-19 lockdown, this event had over 20,000 people attending it. 

Many of its fans will be delighted to welcome back RWMF 2022, themed the “Legendary Rainforest Celebration” by its organiser Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), which will be holding it in hybrid format for the first time.

While the venue remains at Sarawak Cultural Village, music enthusiasts who are unable attend the physical live show, can livestream it in the comfort of their homes via subscribing an online viewing platform.

At the recent launch of the 25^th Legendary RMWF at the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, says: “I’m very proud of how far our homegrown product has come: From around 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998 to becoming the first hybrid festival of its kind in Malaysia.

Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative
 Industry and Performing Arts,
 Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

“Concertgoers who miss the feel of the physical concert can come together in mutual appreciation of world music, and those around the world can enjoy world music live from the comfort of their own homes.” 

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor remarks, “Every year, we strive to make the RWMF better than the year before.

“Last year’s Virtual Experience gave us invaluable feedback on how we could work towards combining the best of both worlds – physical and the digital – to create RWMF’s first hybrid edition this year. 

“We hope that creating this unique precedent for the 25th edition of the festival will become a keystone for the next 25 years for the festival, bridging the past with the future and sustaining and reinventing our musical heritage and its traditions for many years to come.”

Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive
Officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor 

When STB tried out the virtual platform last year, streaming RWMF Virtual Experience for free viewing, it received encouraging response from 402,865 viewers who tuned in from 79 countries last year. 

In February this year, STB won the bronze award at the Marketing Excellence Awards Malaysia 2022 for its Excellence in Mobile Marketing for the RWMF, which recognises outstanding marketing strategies.

As in previous RWMFs, an international selection of performers and local groups will be showcasing their best presentations with non-stop music before sunset to midnight at the weekend.

STB is currently finalising its list of international performers from Canada, India, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, China, Bhutan, South Korea and the United States among other countries.

It is working with Majlis Seni Sarawak, mixing traditional Sarawakian music with international flavours to open the three-day show in a first-time musical collaboration. 

File Picture: The nightly crowd over the thousands that filled the Sarawak Cultural Village 

RWMF is more than just a music concert or festival. It has become a breeding ground for Sarawakian talents to become international performers at other international music festivals worldwide. This year, STB will again showcase some of these Sarawakian talents.

They include Alena Murang, Kemada, Sang Rawi, At Adau, Tuku Kame, Suk Binie’, Nading Rhapsody and Mathew Ngau alongside other international talents.

 

STB Director of Communications Margaret Apau (third from right) receiving the

bronze award for Excellence in Mobile Marketing for RWMF. Picture from STB

There will be an Early Bird ticket sales for the RWMF 2022 starting 18 April for both the physical and virtual concerts on www.rwmf.net

For the physical concert, festival-goers can grab tickets in the different categories: An adult one-day pass at RM150, adult three-day pass (RM375); child one-day pass (RM80), child three-day pass (RM155) while a one-day family package pass for two adults and two children costs RM400.

The virtual tickets for the RWMF 2022 are priced at RM25.

Teaser Video Rainforest World Music Festival is "BACK"

Malaysia Airlines has been named the official airline partner for the RWMF 2022. This collaboration, a continuation of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) partnership with STB, will see the national carrier together with its sister airline Firefly and Journify offering unbeatable deals comprising flights and a three-day event pass to drive visitors to Sarawak. 

Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have early birds deals of up to 15% and 10% off discounts on flights on selected Malaysia Airlines, including from London, Australia and some ASEAN destinations and the recently launched Firefly’s jet operations from Penang to Kuching.

Firefly started direct flights from Penang to Kuching from 11 April using
Boeing 737-800 aircrafts

The sale will start from 25 April until 14 May for travels from 1-30 June. These tickets are available exclusively for those who purchase the three-day pass via the airline’s respective websites, where they are required to include the promo code to enjoy the discounts on the air tickets. 

Customers will also have the option to buy the “value-for-flights” deals exclusively on Journify that offers MHflypass plus a three-day pass to the RWMF 2022 at a fixed attractive price which gives them flexibility, convenience, and control over their flight spending.

The MHFlypass offers two convenient options for passengers travelling for the RWMF based .on their destination origin, allowing them to choose the zone that matches their travel needs best

Early birds can grab a MHFlypass for as low as RM1,774 for Zone 2 and RM1,974 for Zone 3 with the flights valid for a year.

Zone 2 offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Kuala Lumpur and destinations in Sabah and Sarawak while Zone 3 allows them to fly from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia destinations, with a connection in Kuala Lumpur.

Multiple payment options are available, including an installment plan or Buy Now Pay Later, for these deals.

Speaking on behalf of MAG, MASWings Chief Operating Officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar says, “We are honoured to be appointed as the official carrier for the highly anticipated 25th edition of RWMF to bring in travellers from all over the world to the Land of the Hornbills.”

With Malaysia’s international borders reopening on 1 April, he believes this collaboration with STB will be “vital to rebuild the tourism industry, stimulate domestic and international travelling, and help support industry players' value chains such as travel agents, product owners, local artisans, and business partners”.

He adds, “We will continue to build travellers' confidence by maintaining high levels of safety and hygiene standards onboard our flights to make it a memorable travel experience for all to fly confidently, fly Malaysia and fly beyond.”

#RWMF
#Sarawak Tourism board
#Malaysia Aviation Group
#Malaysia Airlines
#Firefly
#MASWings
#Wolrd Music Festival
#Sarawak Cultural Village
#Journify
#Borneo Cultures Museum

Firefly’s ATR 72-500 fleet to be the new catalyst of growth

Eddy (centre) flanked by pilots and crew as they bid adieu

to the last Fokker-50 retiring from Firefly service

Captain Roland posing in front of the ATR 72-500

FO Awangku Abdul Hariz Pengiran Abu Bakar (left), seconded from RBA,

receiving the certificate of appreciation

One last shot with the Fokker-50 which has served many in East Malaysia

Firefly’s ATR 72-500 fleet to be the new catalyst of growth
Text and photos by Anthony Tan

Community airline Firefly is now operating its flights solely with the new ATR 72-500 turbo-prop aircrafts having retired all three of its Fokker-50.

This has been made possible after the 100% owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) received its fifth ATR 72-500 from Toulouse on 15 December, which saw this new aircraft commencing its first service on 20 December.

Following Firefly’s aggressive network expansion in 2008, the airline will be receiving another five ATR 72-500 from April to August in 2009 to serve its existing and new routes.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong said, “Plans are afoot to work on a code-share agreement with MAS by the first quarter of next year.”

He added, “Compared to the Fokker-50, the 72-seater ATR 72-500 gave us 44% additional revenue capacity while reducing operating cost by as much as 20%, especially on fuel and maintenance.

“Consequently, on 16 December, we decided to remove the fuel surcharge for all our flights.”

Besides a pair of fuel efficient engines, he said the new aircraft is equipped with a state-of-the-art cabin interior, comfortable two-abreast leather seats with ample leg room and low cabin noise due to modern acoustic technology.

Eddy recalled when Firefly commenced operations on 2 April 2007, it started with two Fokker-50s (9M-MGI and 9M-MGK) leased from MAS.

Its third Fokker-50 (9M-MGD) was subleased from MASWings, another MAS subsidiary which operates in Sabah and Sarawak, in December 2007.

The airline had returned 9M-MGD to MASWing on 3 September while 9M-MGK, returned on 30 September to MAS, had been sold while 9M-MGI would be returned to MAS by 31 December.

Speaking to pilots, flight crew, technical and ground staff, and a selected group of media, at a special ceremony to bid farewell to its last Fokker-50, at Hanger 1 of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang on Sunday morning (21 December), Eddy pointed out that this was the first Fokker-50 the airline had. He first laid his eyes on it when it was featured on the Internet.

“It is indeed a historical and emotional day for us at Firefly. The Fokker-50s have served us well during our initial start-up of Firefly.”

He deemed the Fokker-50 to be still “very reliable” although the manufacturer of this 19-year old aircraft has since stopped operations.

When MAS put the aircraft up for sale, Eddy said it was snapped up because the aircraft was still used in some parts of Europe and in good condition.

Eddy also took the opportunity to present certificates of appreciation to Firefly’s nine Fokker-50 pilots. Among them is Captain Roland Thomas, considered to be the most decorated captain who will be semi retiring.

The rest are two first officers (FOs) seconded from Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), four captains seconded from MAS and two FOs from Firefly.

FireFly expands its destinations

FireFly expands its destinations
Text and Pictures By Anthony Tan

Firefly, Malaysia’s community airline, celebrated its first anniversary on 23 April 2008 at Terminal 3 Sultan Aziz Airport, Subang.

Operated by FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly’s first flight took off on 2 April 2007 from its first operational hub in Penang with two Fokker 50 aircrafts for its initial operations.

It flew from Penang to Phuket, Koh Samui, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala Trengganu and Kuantan.

A third Fokker 50 was added to its fleet to serve new routes from its second hub from Subang. On 18 December 2007, the first flight took off from Subang to Langkawi, Penang, Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu.

For FireFly to be competitive, it needs to improve its service and expand its routes with new aircrafts to replace the Fokker 50s. FireFly purchased five new aircrafts model ATR72-500 for 2008 with its first delivery in October. Another five more on orders are expected to be delivered in 2009.

On 26 October 2008, Firefly launched its inaugural flights to Sumatra from Penang and Subang for its new routes. From Subang, it will fly to Koh Samui in southern Thailand, Pekanbaru in Sumatra and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. From Penang, it will fly to Bandar Acheh and Medan.

Firefly will also introduce all-in-pricing for the customers’ convenience. This is to move towards transparency to offer their customers the full breakdown of charges in order for them to plan and budget.

All-in-pricing is inclusive of taxes, surcharges and airfares. Customers can see the breakdown of what they pay for when they book online that shows the separation of fare, taxes and surcharges will be maintained as part of the booking process.

Best of all it includes complimentary light refreshments on board, convenient hubs with direct flights, on time departures, 20 kg baggage allowance, one piece of hand carry baggage (maximum 5kg) and allocated numbered seat.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong announced during the airline’s first anniversary that there will not be any additional charge for passengers’ checked-in baggage but instead the airline would increase its baggage allowance from 15 kg to 20 kg.

Leong said in a statement, “In conjunction with the launch of our inaugural flights to Sumatera and new routes from Subang to Koh Samui and Johor Bahru, we now offer to all our customers in Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand Firefly’s All-in-pricing. Customers will truly experience Firefly’s incredible value at low fares.”

Tried and Tested
I took the flight from Subang to Penang and returned two days later. The ATR72-500 aircraft still smell new, especially the smell of the leather seats. With two seats on each side, it has slightly better leg room than the Airbus A-320 low cost carrier.

As the seats are numbered, there is no need to rush for them. The sole boarding door is from the back. Those who are in the hurry and want to leave the aircraft upon arrival first, should ask for the back seats. Otherwise, the boarding and disembarkation will be first in, last out sequence.

Surprisingly, the ATR72-500 is much quieter than the Fokker 50 or Boeing 737 series. As they do not fly very high, it is a little bit bumpy during bad weather.

The service on board was good. Passengers were served with a complimentary piece of muffin (a bit too sweet, if you need an extra, just asked the stewardess) and an orange juice but for a hot coffee, you need to request.

Tips

Book your flight early in order to get low fares. I booked my flight on 7 October and my flight was on 21 October and returned on 23. The return all in airfare was RM143.90. The check-in counter closes 30 minutes before the scheduled flight departure.

Verdict

My usual return executive bus trip to Penang will cost me RM128 and it would take four to five hours. The noise level even at mid-section is louder than ATR72-500. At most times, it is also bumpy and you have to hold your bladder for two hours before it stop at the rest stops. Some drivers are a bit grumpy if you asked them to stop out of their schedule. My next trip will not be the bus trip.

Check its website for your best deal: www.fireflyz.com.my