CIMB-DBKL Concert Reimagines Kuala Lumpur Public Spaces Through Arts, Culture And Community

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- As Kuala Lumpur continues to evolve into a fast-paced urban centre, public green spaces are increasingly being reimagined as venues for shared cultural experiences that go beyond recreation.

That effort can be seen through the “CIMB Moving KL Forward Kita Bagi Jadi At The Park” concert at Panggung Anniversari, Perdana Botanical Gardens on May 23, which combines music, theatre, poetry and archival visuals in a cultural programme aimed at bringing city dwellers closer to the arts, history and one another.

The initiative, organised by CIMB Group in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), forms part of ongoing efforts to activate public spaces in the capital through community-focused cultural programming.

DBKL Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports head of music Dr Isabella Pek said programmes centred on arts and culture continue to play an important role in strengthening the connection between the city and its people, while making the arts more accessible in everyday urban life.

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“For this kind of programme particularly, it will be most significant for us because it connects to the city and it connects music and it connects warga kota,” she said during a recent media session.

Rather than following a conventional concert format, the programme will unfold as a multi-layered cultural experience featuring live musical performances alongside theatrical storytelling, poetry and visual narratives drawn from historical archives.

At the heart of the programme is a revisit to the life and legacy of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, through an artistic interpretation aimed at introducing his leadership and values to younger generations.

CIMB group chief brand and marketing officer Toni Darusman said the programme would also highlight lesser-known aspects of Tun Razak’s younger years, including his courage and leadership spirit.

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“Many people know Tun Razak as Bapa Pembangunan, but when he was young, he was already someone who to me was quite a genius, quite a brave person. We want to showcase his spirit and his courage through the programme,” he said.

The evening will feature performances by singers Aina Abdul, Asmidar, Haziq Rosebi, Izen Kong and Nadia Aqilah alongside about 120 DBKL cultural performers and the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra.

Before the main programme begins at 8.40 pm, visitors will also be able to join a guided park tour and a casual discussion session titled “Mengenali Razak” featuring cultural figure Eddin Khoo, offering a more reflective start to the evening.

-- BERNAMA