<P> "I had an invitation from WOMEX in Marseilles to bring some traditional musicians, so I suggested to Bob, and the Tourism Board, that we should send some musicians there to promote Sarawak ." - Randy Raine - Reusch </P> <P> With the help of Jayl Langub from Majlis Adat Istiadat (Native Customary Laws Authority), two sape players, Asang Lawai and Tegit Usat were brought to Kuching from upper stretches of Balui River in Belaga and was join by Erang Lahang and Uchau Bilong . They rehearsed with Randy for a week in Kuching and left for Marseilles to perform at the WOMEX festival . Hardened European agents, managers and festival directors were brought to tears at the beauty and purity of their performance on the sape . </P> <P> Upon returning to Sarawak after WOMEX, Randy and Robert attended a meeting with Datin Julia Chong, representatives of Sarawak Music Society and committee members of a cultural association called Society Atelier Sarawak . The Sarawak Music Society was approached to run the show, but found it beyond their scope . The members of Society Atelier Sarawak, and particularly its president Edric Ong, gave a lot of logistic support to the undertaking . But it was the Sarawak Tourism Board who undertook the task of consolidating and financing the event . </P> <P> In March 1998, the Tourism Board approved the funding for the festival, but with the provision that the organiser be the Sarawak Tourism Board . The Society Atelier Sarawak was to take the role of technical support in terms of the music and Randy was appointed as the main consultant for the event . By this time, the rest of Sarawak Tourism Board staff were being conscripted in to assist with the organization and running of the festival; behind - the - scenes roles they took on and have continued to fill until the present day . </P>

The rainforest world music festival – sarawak borneo malaysia