Melaka City chosen as site for first buskers corners

The Unesco World Heritage City of Melaka was selected as the site for the country's first Buskers Corner to promote street music as a healthy form of art and entertainment.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the choice of Melaka city as the first location for the pilot project was in light of the existence of sites conducive for 'busking', in particular squares which are always filled with visitors and tourists.

"Other Buskers Corner sites will be rolled out in stages and be set up in Kuantan, Port Dickson, Ipoh, Johor Baharu, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Baharu," he said after officiating at the first Buskers Corner in Dataran Sungai Melaka here, Sunday.

Present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and President of the Malaysian Buskers Club Wady Hamdan.

Rahman said the initiative was in line with the government's commitment to safeguard and provide better future for the younger generation, in line with the religion, laws and norms of the eastern society.

Rahman said the Buskers Corner aims to celebrate the diversity of culture and talent that can be showcased to tourists, in line with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014."

He said the ministry would work with the local authorities to create an atmosphere that would be conducive for street musicians to exhibit their talent and for visitors to enjoy the art form.

However, he said buskers must comply with certain regulations issued by local authorities, namely personal hygiene and performance schedule.