Public urged to Support FOSTER's Sepilok Jazz 2024

Liew (3rd left) with Malangking (left), Yee (3rd right) and others. Note Krischelle with her trumpet (2nd left).

9 August 2024

KOTA  KINABALU: FOSTER Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research ( FOSTER) will be holding the 3rd Edition of Sepilok Jazz 2024 on September 6 and 7 in Sandakan, in support of the organisation's sea turtle protection and conservation initiatives on the island of Libaran, located off the coast of Sandakan.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew, commended FOSTER's efforts and urged the Sandakan community and visitors to support FOSTER's noble effort to maintain sustainability of sea turtle conservation by participating in the music festival, noting that the non-governmental organisation (NGO) has released about 45,000 baby turtles from the award-winning Walai Penyu Conservation Park thus far.

Walai Penyu Conservation Park is FOSTER's initiative, which was incepted in November 2011 in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD).

"With a more spacious venue this time around (Rainforest Discovery Centre), coupled with extensive publicity for Sepilok Jazz, I am certain the event will attract a bigger crowd than last year's. 

"My Ministry fully supports the 3rd Edition of Sepilok Jazz, and I have accepted the organisers' invitation to grace this meaningful event," Liew said.

To help promote the event, MASwings, one of the sponsors, carries the promotional flyers in all their nine planes within Sabah.

Chairman of FOSTER Alexander Yee extended the invitation to the minister during a courtesy call on the latter on Thursday. 

Yee and Music Director Cheong Kok Ann briefed Liew on the objective and programme for the two-day event in collaboration with Sepilok Jazz Academy. This Academy, which serves as a platform for budding musicians, also offers competitions and workshops for local and international musicians.

"We anticipate an audience of over 1,000 attendees from near and far. In this jazz-themed event, our aim is to educate the public, with a special focus on the younger generation, about the vital importance of marine turtle conservation," they said.

They further mentioned that all proceeds generated will be dedicated to supporting the operations of FOSTER.

During the courtesy call, budding trumpeter Krischelle Jade Cheong (Cheong's youngest daughter), a Primary Four pupil of Anglo-Chinese School, Penampang, played the tune of "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In" for the minister.

Also present were the ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary I Mary Malangking and Pauline Chin who represented Borneo Excursions, the official travel agent for Sepilok Jazz 3rd Edition.