Zubaidah was appointed the new KP of Istana Budaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Director of the Policy and Research Division of the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) Zubaidah Mukhtar was appointed Director General of the new Istana Budaya with effect from Sept 21.
Zubaidah, 54, replaced Zaiton Md Desa who retired on Oct 20 last year.
She is a graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, USA and has extensive experience for 30 years in the field of tourism, art and culture.
Zubaidah has served at JKKN and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and has held several positions including Director of Cultural Art Guidance of JKKN in addition to having served at Istana Budaya as Director of Marketing and Public Relations from 2002 to 2011.
Speaking to Bernama , Zubaidah said she intends to expand cooperation with various workforces from other productions to strengthen the country’s art and culture industry through the exchange of expertise and views.
“For example, we can collaborate with the MPO (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra), the Kuala Lumpur City Hall orchestra and the RTM orchestra by organizing an orchestra festival at Istana Budaya.
“For me there is no rival (competition) in the industry because this industry is small, instead we have to complement each other,” she said.
Zubaidah also plans to establish a Performing Arts Association that involves providers of performance venues across the country led by her.
In the meantime, Zubaidah also hopes that through the process of replacing and repairing the Istana Budaya roof, which is expected to start in the middle of next year, will be able to improve the image of the prestigious stage in the eyes of the world.
“This building is over 20 years old and certainly looks worn, so the renovation process is an important part of making sure the Istana Budaya looks grand again,” she said, adding that the center is expected to be closed for a set period for the purpose of maintenance.
source – BERNAMA
