In cooperation with the Johor State Government and strategic partner NGO Johor State, the Johor State Ghazal Association, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) is organising the 2024 Kota Selatan Festival at Padang Akasia, Angsana Johor Bahru Mall, from 19th to 30th December 2024, through the Johor State Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN), and Johor State Handicrafts.
In conjunction with the Kota Selatan Festival@Johor Craft Festival 2024, the Gala Night with the theme “Tingkah Anak Johor” is a highlight event that blends aspects of folk and traditional arts that are well-known and synonymous to the state of Johor.
Using Ghazal and Zapin music, Onn Jaafar, the Performance Director for this Gala Night, has developed distinctive aspects of the Johor state’s art into a performance that embodies the state’s identity.
As a narrative of the performance, four segments have been formed and initiated, which are Di Sini Bermula, Puisi Kasih Johor, Muafakat Johor, and Ragam Anak Johor.
Mas Merah Aladom, Embun Dirumput, and Air Mata Hati will be performed as part of the Di Sini Bermula segment, which will showcase the art of Ghazal music, which is the state of Johor’s identity. Puisi Kasih Johor, the second segment, will present a selection of poems written by Ghazal artists from the state of Johor, including Fadzil Ahmad, Ahmad Jusoh, and Pak Lomak.
The diverse society of the state of Johor is portrayed through a collection of Malay, Chinese, and Indian dance performances in the third segment, Muafakat Johor.
“Ragam Anak Johor,” the fourth segment, will feature performances that serve as symbols of the state of Johor’s identity through the use of Zapin dance, which is native to the state and will include Zapin Lenga and Zapin Pekajang.
Malaysian artist Siti Nordiana made an appearance in the final segment of Pesona Johor, who will sing Ghazal-based songs such as Penawar Rindu and Umpan Jinak Di Air Tenang.
Among the performance groups that were involved in making the ‘Tingkah Anak Johor’ Gala Night a success were the Naura Classical Ghazal Group, the JKKN Johor Arts Group, the performance group from Sekolah Kebangsaan Tebrau Bakar Batu, and the Out Breathe Dance Company Group (Chinese Group), the Citra Seni Vsuryam Johor Bahru Cultural Group (Indian Group).
“The ‘Tingkah Anak Johor’ Gala Night was a spectacle that showcased the variety of arts and culture that the state of Johor is proud of, particularly through performances by the Ghazal groups, groups of different races, and musical performances.”
In addition, by showcasing Ghazal music and Zapin dance—which are in fact the state of Johor’s identity—this artistic performance enabled us to introduce and promote the state’s arts and culture while enlivening Johor’s activities and culture,” said Mohd Amran Mohd Haris, Director General of JKKN, in his statement.
To obtain further information and details about this programme, the public can visit the JKKN website at www.jkkn.gov.my or the official JKKN Johor Facebook page.
 is organising the 2024 Kota Selatan Festival at Padang Akasia, Angsana Johor Bahru Mall, from 19th to 30th December 2024, through the Johor State Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN), and Johor State Handicrafts. ){kind=link}