KePKAS minister to Officiate the 4th Edition of Sepilok Jazz

Liew (second from left) receiving a promotional bag and commemorative T-shirt from Yee. Also pictured are Lai (left) and Cheong (right), who is seen playing a Kaamatan tune on the Sundatang.

11 August 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The 4th edition of Sepilok Jazz is set to take place on 6 September at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sandakan.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, has expressed her Ministry’s full support for the event, which combines music, tourism, culture, and marine conservation in a unique and impactful way.

She said the Ministry, together with its agency, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), is contributing in support of Friends of Sea Turtles Education & Research (FOSTER) and its Walai Penyu sea turtle conservation project in Libaran.

“By integrating music, tourism, culture, and marine conservation through events such as Sepilok Jazz and Bakat Sepilok Jazz, FOSTER shows that sea turtle conservation can be celebrated in creative and inclusive ways.

“These events not only highlight cultural diversity but also help position Sandakan as a leading ecotourism destination on the global stage,” she said, after receiving an invitation to officiate the 4th edition of Sepilok Jazz during a courtesy visit from FOSTER President Alexander Yee and Music Director Cheong Kok Ann on Monday.

Reflecting on the recently concluded 2nd edition of Bakat Sepilok Jazz, which attracted international contestants, Liew noted that the competition is rapidly becoming an important platform for emerging musicians to gain global exposure.

Yee expressed his gratitude to the Minister for her strategic collaboration and support for both the Sepilok Jazz and Bakat Sepilok Jazz initiatives.

“International interest in Sepilok Jazz continues to grow, and this year we are targeting 3,000 visitors. We hope to see even wider participation in future editions,” he said.

According to Yee, this year’s 4th edition will feature world-class acts from Singapore, Germany, Thailand, and Korea. The 2025 lineup includes the Jeremy Monteiro All Star Quartet featuring Tony Lakatos from Singapore and Germany, Fleche D’Or Swing Quartet from Germany, and Seoul Fizz from Korea.

Representing Malaysia are homegrown talents such as Cris Aban Trio, Wan G, Sonny B & The 1, Zizi Safira, and Appy Tots.

FOSTER, a Sabah-based non-profit organisation founded in 2013, is dedicated to sea turtle conservation, especially around Pulau Libaran in Sandakan. Its core activities include turtle monitoring, hatchery management, community education, and public outreach.

Since its inception, FOSTER has released tens of thousands of hatchlings into the sea and forged strong partnerships with local communities, government agencies, the private sector, and environmentally conscious travellers to safeguard these endangered marine species.

Also present during the courtesy visit was the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Josie Lai.