BATU PAHAT: Yayasan Johor Corporation (Yayasan JCorp) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) have forged a strategic partnership to preserve Johor’s traditional musical heritage, particularly Ghazal and Gambus, and ensure its continuity among future generations.
Yayasan JCorp chief executive officer Datuk Mizan Yahya said the collaboration, formalised through a letter of intent (LOI), would cover training, workshops, historical documentation and the sharing of stage performance techniques.
He said the partnership would link live performances with long-term efforts to nurture talent, document artistic knowledge and ensure the traditions continued to be practised and passed down.
“We do not want the public’s connection with Ghazal and Gambus to end the moment the stage lights go out. Our aspiration is for more young people to take an interest in learning these traditions, for more practitioners to share their knowledge, and for a greater wealth of artistic heritage to be documented and passed down to future generations.
“Festivals will continue to be organised to spark interest, and such collaborations help translate that interest into sustained community engagement,” he told Bernama after the LOI exchange in conjunction with the Jelajah Pentas Seni Johor 2026 (PSJ26) tour at Dataran Astaka Shahbandar.
The LOI exchange between Mizan, representing Yayasan JCorp, and UTHM Centre for General Studies and Co-curriculum (PPUK) Dean Dr Zahrul Akmal Damin was witnessed by Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) president Mohd Nazid Jasiman.
Mizan said the Batu Pahat leg was the third stop of the PSJ26 tour, following earlier events in Pontian and Segamat, and aimed to bring arts and heritage closer to the community.
“In Pontian, we held the Festival Rumpun Bugis Johor, while in Segamat, the programme featured the Festival Kota Selatan.
“Here in Batu Pahat, we are highlighting local community culture, blending the melodic rhythms of Ghazal and Gambus with the culinary delights of Nasi Ambeng and Sambal Goreng Jawa.
“The festivities here are enlivened by performances such as Zapin Koris, Zapin Tanjung Laboh, Zapin Duo Batu Pahat, acrobatic dragon dances, Gambus music and a Shariah-compliant version of the Kuda Kepang dance,” he said.
The PSJ26 tour will continue in Kota Tinggi on Nov 28 and 29 before concluding in Johor Baru in December.