Lion Head Maker is Named DiGi's Amazing Malaysian

Lion Head Maker is Named DiGi's Amazing Malaysian

80 children to learn from one of world's best-known lion dancing sifus in DiGi project

Kuala Lumpur, July 31, 2005 - Some 80 lower secondary school children from Muar and Selangor spent the weekend discovering the high level of skills needed to perform lion dancing at world-class standard. The children had convened for the launch of DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd's Lion Dancer of Muar corporate social responsibility (CSR) project. It is the third project under the DiGi's Amazing Malaysians banner.

DiGi's Amazing Malaysians identifies individuals who are passionate about preserving Malaysia's heritage - be it natural, cultural, art, social or built-up heritage - and arranges for them to work with large groups of children, so as to pass on some of their knowledge, skills and, hopefully, dedication towards maintaining our culture and traditions.

"The Lion Dancer of Muar" leading the project launched this weekend is none other than Siow Ho Phiew, the sifu of international award-winning Muar-based lion dance troupe, the Kun Seng Keng. His other major distinction is being the only man in South-east Asia who makes the labour-intensive lion heads.

For two months beginning end August 2005, Siow will train about 55 children from Muar present at the discovery launch this weekend in the art of lion dancing and performing the 24 Drums, while the 12 children from Subang, Selangor, will learn how to make the lion's head. Siow has a lion head making set-up in Subang 2, Selangor.

The children at the launch of the project were from SM Tinggi Muar, SM Tengku Mahkota, SMK Raja Muda, SM Sri Muar and SMK Kampung Melayu Subang.

Addressing the children in Sekolah Tinggi Muar, DiGi's Chief Marketing Officer Chee Pok Jin said: "DiGi Telecommunications believes that lion dancing is an important part of Malaysia's cultural heritage. And we hope, by giving you the chance to learn from one of the world's best sifus, you will be inspired to take up lion dancing, and maybe even contribute towards making the lion heads, so that this art will continue to flourish in Malaysia."

As part of their discovery programme, the children were split into two groups on Saturday, one group spending the afternoon learning how to drum, while the other group was given a crash course on making lion heads. On Sunday, they were treated to "the real thing", in the form of a 24 Drum performance by Kuala Lumpur-based Hands Percussion Group; and an awe-inspiring lion dance performance by the Kun Seng Keng.

DiGi brought The Lion Dancer of Johor project to life symbolically by dotting the eye of a lion. Chee did the honours.

About DiGi Telecommunications Sdn BhdDiGi is a leading mobile communications company providing a comprehensive range of affordable, convenient and easy-to-use wireless services to simplify and enrich the lives of its customers. The company creates value by selecting the most appropriate cutting-edge technology so that customers benefit from products and services that give them choice, convenience and control.