Sabah to hold concert featuring Sompoton, Tai Chi performance
by The Borneo Post · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (Sept 9): Sabah will host its first-ever Panggung Seni Tradisional (PST) concert this year, with the sompoton — the iconic bamboo mouth organ of the Dusun community — set to take the spotlight.
Organised in collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Sabah, Persatuan Tuni Kinabalu will present Konsert Irama Tuni Kinabalu on September 12 and 13 at the JKKN Sabah Auditorium.
The two-night event marks a historic milestone as the first PST concert to be staged in the state.
More than 100 performers across generations will take part, including 70 musicians from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Tai Chi practitioners, members of the Huayue Cultural Troupe, and children from Tadika Melodi Likas, who recently won gold at the KK Music Festival 2025.
The sompoton will feature prominently in both ensemble and solo formats, with a special solo performance by Mohd Hafizze Bin Ramli to showcase the instrument’s unique beauty and expressive range.
For the first time in Sabah, audiences will also experience a Tai Chi performance accompanied live by the sompoton — a rare fusion of martial arts and traditional music never before presented in the state.
Other performing groups include the Sompotune Ensemble, Monundatang Ensemble, UMS Folk Orchestra and UMS Chamber Choir.
The concert will also feature the Huayue Cultural Troupe under composer Simon Kong Su Leong, alongside the Kota Kinabalu Funei Li Style Taiji Association led by Dato’ Seri Winston Liaw. Adding star appeal, popular local artiste Dabra Sia will perform on September 12.
The concert is led by:
Producer: Dr Jinky Jane C Simon, Artistic Coordinator: Dr Esterlina Moo Chin Len Lazarus, Music Director: Dr Mohd Shahri Ramli, Deputy Music Director: Kenny David Yuntalla, Music Arrangement Coordinator: Simon Kong Su Leong, Sompoton & Sundatang Coordinator: Resot Iggau, Artistic Director: Sharifuddin Zainal, Production Manager: Jacklyn Kipar.
Tickets are priced at RM50 (Platinum & Gold seats) and RM20 (Silver seats), with a 50% discount for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.