George Town Festival director Joe Sidek has urged local performers to come forward and take part in next year’s event, which will focus on the theme of Asean.

The deadline to send in proposals for George Town Festival 2017 (GTF2017) is Jan 15.

Joe said there have been many complaints about the lack of local or Malay programmes for the past seven years since the programme was started in 2008, after George Town was bestowed with the Unesco World Heritage Site award.

“The response from locals has not been encouraging. We organised a session to hear proposals from 15 countries, which was attended by 22 people, of whom only four sent in local proposals.

“Many are perhaps afraid of filing forms. Don’t be afraid, just come to us,” Joe (photo) said at a press conference at Komtar today.

Accompanying him at the press conference was Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Joe said he has called on Malay NGOs to participate in the festival instead of writing petitions to Guan Eng to say that the community is marginalised.

“Last year, there was a group of Malay NGOs that wanted to write a petition to the CM to say that we don't do enough for the Malays, but I called on them to come and work with me, instead of writing the petition.

“They never submitted forms and never followed up with me on this. I called them again and again, and the next thing I know is that they went to the press and said we didn't help,” he lamented.

“I can only do so much. Anyone out there with a proposal, please come to us. I some years I have said ‘no’ to some people; I have even turned down brilliant groups but it does not mean you don’t try again when you get rejected,” Joe said.

Festival 'too high' for locals

He also shared a personal experience, where he was invited to talk about the festival in Alor Setar, Kedah, which was attended by 300 Malays.

There, the participants said the festival was “too high” for them.

“In our workshop, we found a lot of interesting things, so it is a two-way thing. I will make myself available but I also need the help of the press to tell people I am there to help them develop their programmes,” he said.

Joe said the GTF2017 would need more partners and is thankful to the Penang government and state agencies Penang Water Supply Corporation, Penang Global Tourism, Penang Island City Council and George Town World Heritage Incorporated that will be helping to make the event successful.

He added that the Penang government had committed RM4.5 million for GTF2017. However, the federal government has not been forthcoming with financial help for the festival.

In 2016, the festival had more than 150 events, of which 118 were open free to the public.

Those with proposals can submit them to this website.

Attempt to save Malay music

Meanwhile, Joe said one of GTF2017's highlight will be the "Laksa of the Region (LotR)" event to promote Penang as a regional food haven.

Another major event is the Weekend on Women (WOW), planned with input from social activist Marina Mahathir, which will feature a TEDx style talk and others shows featuring women.

The festival is also planning to host a design forum in partnership with Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network (SEACCN).

"There are always complaints that the market is flooded with Chinese goods. Let us fight it and come up with our own local brands," Joe said, adding this was part of GTF's effort to promote local brands.

The festival will also feature a theatre production on Francis Light and plenty of programmes for youths and children.

"To present a strong Malays programming next year, GTF will be featuring traditional and near-vanishing Malay music performances over five weekend.

"I appeal to local artists to come forward and share their ideas," Joe said.