Kuala lumpur: A traditional musician has called on the government to strengthen support for the arts industry in Budget 2026, particularly through grants and funding to ensure the sustainability of dancers, musicians, and other creative talents.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sape player and cultural artist Anderson Kalang said many musical and cultural practitioners rely heavily on personal funds to sustain their craft, investing in costumes, accessories, instruments, and long hours of training, often with little recognition or financial assistance.

Kalang expressed his personal experience, stating, “For myself, I am a dancer. I started dancing using my own income, collecting all the accessories on my own. When we are invited to perform, people don’t see the investments we have made — the hours of training, the cost of our costumes. It is the same for musicians, who spend years learning and investing in expensive equipment.”

Kalang, who plays and sells the traditional Sape, emphasized that while these efforts help promote cultural awareness, financial backing from the government remains crucial to sustain practitioners and preserve traditional arts. The Sape, a traditional lute-like instrument, has echoed through longhouses along the rivers of central Sarawak for centuries, accompanying rituals of healing, storytelling, and thanksgiving. Today, it has transcended its ceremonial roots, emerging as a symbol of cultural pride and national heritage.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, is scheduled to table Budget 2026 in Parliament on Friday.