KDM MALAYSIA LAUNCHES REALITY SHOW

PROUD....From left: Abu Bakar Ellah, Asmin Mudin, Peter Anthony, Michael Ubu, Jasnin Othman Suman and Azie Florence Kaying holding a brochure of KDM Malaysia Idol 2013 at the press conference on Saturday.

KOTA KINABALU: A new reality show, ‘KDM Malaysia Idol’, focusing on entertainers who can sing in Kadazan, Dusun and Murut languages offers RM100,000 cash prize to thewinner.

Organised by Kadazan Dusun Murut Organisation Malaysia (KDM Malaysia), the audition for the KDM Malaysia Idol will start its audition in Kampung Kokol, Menggatal on January 19, 2013, and will be continued in nine other locations throughout the State.

KDM Malaysia president Datuk Peter Anthony said the purpose of the competition is to appreciate the talents of Malaysians who are very passionate in music, while at the same time reflecting on the positive leadership of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who takes a serious view of the nation’s unity.

“KDM Malaysia Idol is not like the other reality show, because we will be working closely with Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Celcom.

“A total of 50 singers will be chosen through auditions at various locations in Sabah, which we will take place in UMS, to attend educational classes to improve not only their talent but also their knowledge,” he said at a press conference at Pacific Sutera Harbour on Saturday.

Those who are interested to participate in KDM Malaysia Idol must be aged between 15 to 45 years old, and able to communicate and sing in Kadazan, Dusun and Murut languages.

Apart from the RM100,000 cash prize for the winner, second place winner will be going home with RM50,000 cash prize, third placing RM30,000, fourth placing RM15,000 and fifth to eighth placings will be given RM10,000 as consolation prize.

Anthony said KDM Malaysia is now in the middle of discussion with several TV stations to choose the main broadcaster for the reality show, which will be having SMS voting system like the other competitions.

Five percent of the total SMSes will be channeled to the Tabung Kebajikan Pelajar Termiskin Luar Bandar Sabah, while the other five percent from the individual SMS votes are given to the contestants.

“After January 19 in Menggatal, Inanam, the audition will continue to Kampung Entilibon Telupid on January 27, Kemabong, Tenom on February 16, Ranau Community Hall on February 23, Pitas Community Hall on March 2, Tamparuli Multipurpose Hall on March 9, Papar New Community Hall on March 16, Beaufort Community Hall on March 23 and at Buhavan Square on March 30.

“Those coming for the audition can bring their own minus one, karaoke or even singing with their own musical instrument. There is no registration fee for this reality show, they only have to buy a Celcom Starter Pack at RM18.50 to entitle them to join,” he said.

Anthony said all 50 chosen contestants would be groomed for six weeks in UMS, and there will be eliminations every week, which will be broadcast live on TV.

More details on the competition can be obtained through the KDM Malaysia secretariat office at 088-723675 or 723676, email at sekretariat@kdmmalaysia.org or through the KDM Malaysia website http://www.kdmmalaysia.org/ from today onwards.

He added those who failed at the initial audition locations can join at the other locations with the same Celcom Starter Pack.

The competition is open to all Malaysians, including those who are in the peninsular, as long as they have the ability to perform in Kadazan, Dusun and Murut languages. KDM Malaysia is also planning to have promotional tour in several locations in the peninsular.

Also present at the press conference were Abu Bakar Ellah, Asmin Mudin and Jasnin Othman Suman as organizing committee for KDM Malaysia Idol 2013, KDM Malaysia secretary general Michael Ubu and KDM Malaysia secretary Azie Florence Kaying. (BP)