Johor-born cultural art form, 24 Festive Drums, will receive a total of RM150,000 aid annually from Johor state government.
Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, announced the allocation in his speech during the officiating ceremony of the 7th International Festival of Festive 24 Drums at the Raja Zarith Sofiah Opera House on Sunday, 13th September 2026.
Citing that the state government wanted to be part of the continued growth of the cultural art form, which was founded in Johor approximately 38 years ago, Onn Hafiz stated that the Johor government will approve RM50,000 yearly grant to the Johor Bahru Foon Yew High School 24 Festive Drums team, and RM100,000 yearly grant for the 24 Festive Drums (association), The Star reported him saying.
Onn Hafiz said preserving the state’s cultural heritage was an important part of Johor’s aspiration to become a developed state by 2030.
“When we talk about progress and development, it is not just about economics or earning a living. More importantly, we also have to safeguard our culture.
“As we develop the state of Johor, we must also protect the culture of Bangsa Johor,” he said, adding that he had asked the association to discuss with Yayasan Warisan Johor the possibility of holding regular 24 Festive Drums performances at Kompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar.
Bernama earlier reported that Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said participation in the 24 Festive Drums programme had continued to grow, with 14,399 students from 352 schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE) taking part as of 2025.
“This shows that through collective efforts from all parties, this art form has flourished. This heritage belongs to all Malaysians,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the national-level 24 Festive Drums Elite Competition 2026 at the Educity Sports Complex, which was also attended by Iskandar Puteri MP Liew Chin Tong.
He emphasised the art form’s growing cross-cultural appeal, noting that, while most performers were Chinese, participation from other ethnic groups was steadily increasing.
“For instance, SMJK St Anthony in the Sarawak zone featured a team where over 70% of the drummers were Malays and Iban,” he said.
On a related note, Wong disclosed that the 24 Festive Drums Association submitted an application in March this year for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, with a decision expected by late 2028.
He added that increased participation, systematic data collection, coach training, and MOE’s official inclusion of the art form as an annual school activity this year would bolster Malaysia’s bid for UNESCO recognition.
24 Festive Drums was co-founded by Tan Chai Puan and the late Tan Hooi Song in 1988; it has since gained international prominence after its widespread nation.
Wong said the national-level competition involved 46 teams comprising 1,220 drummers across six zones – North, Sabah, South, Central, East Coast, and Sarawak – with the top 10 teams advancing to finals.
Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, China, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia were among the international nations that participated in the closing ceremony of the 24 Festive Drum of the 7th International Festival 2026, which drew over 3,000 participants from 15 teams.
According to The Star, Lee Sheah Liang, Vice President of the Malaysia 24 Festive Drums Association, expressed astonishment at the distribution and welcomed it.
“We are extremely grateful, as this was something we did not expect.
“I think this shows that the government is supporting local culture, especially a culture that originated from Johor.
“Our efforts have always been very much from the bottom up, and we are happy that they are now being recognised and supported by the state government,” he said.
The closing ceremony and international performance was officiated by Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, and was graced by the presence of Mohammad Nazrul bin Abd Rahim, Director of Johor Tourism, Nor Syazlan Bin Abd Razak, Director of Yayasan Warisan Johor and Lee Sheah Liang, Vice President of 24 Festive Drums Association Malaysia.
The co-founder of 24 Festive Drums, Tan Chai Puan, also attending both the national level competition and closing ceremony of the international festival.
