SEVERAL creative youths from Mukah have thought of an innovative way to recycle – by turning unwanted plastic materials into musical instruments.

The youths came up with this idea for Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak’s Youth Engaged in Social Innovation, Service, Education and Enterprise (YES I SEE) project.

Calling themselves Umai Jeb – as a tribute to Mukah’s renowned dish – the members wanted to combine their love for music with their desire to help conserve the environment.

“Some of the musical instruments that we’ve managed to build are Chinese drums, rebana, baduk, angklong, erhu and sape,” said 21-year old group leader Geroldyien Ginda.

The other nine members are Adzuan Kuheng, Erica Daimun, Allexsius Gira Lingun, Easterina Julo, Kiung Chiu Yieng, Macollin Ginda, Kang Liew Chin, Noriswati Hassan and Nurfazila Kipli, who range in age from 18 to 24 years.

Geroldyien said the group gathered information on the instruments they want to produce mostly through experienced musicians and music associations.

“In the past such instruments were only made by the older people in our community, or by those who have years of experience making them. The instruments were also made using animal hide and hardwood.
“We realized that our project was special because we use recycled materials such as plastic canvas instead of leather and bamboo in place of wood,” she said.

For the group’s members, it is gratifying to be able to make musical instruments without having a slaughter an animal and produce new materials, as they mostly rely on recycled plastic materials for their project.

Umai Jeb’s main goal, however, is to get more youths engaged in their project, especially in their home town of Mukah.

“We believe that what we’re doing is something that can benefit the youths in our area because it would give them something constructive to do, instead of just loafing around, or worse, getting involved in anti-social activities.

“Therefore, we hope to get more youths in Mukah to join us in making these fun instruments,: said Geroldyien.

Such endeavors by Sarawak’s youth in music to Azam’s ears, as one of YES I SEE’s main agendas has always been about getting youth to think of creative and innovative ways to help benefit their community and their state.

UMAI JEB (MUKAH)