KUALA LUMPUR, 6 March 2012 - In conjunction with the 11th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI), Malaysia’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture staged the ASEAN Musical Extravaganza at the Palace of Culture (Istana Budaya), Kuala Lumpur.

This showcase of 15 traditional and contemporary cultural performances by all ASEAN Member States is not only to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of ASEAN, but also to reflect history of ASEAN that contributes to building ASEAN identity and ASEAN awareness.

The two-hour show was attended by numerous of enthusiastic students, media, government officials, diplomatic corps, art enthusiasts, as well as AMRI and their delegations as honoured guests of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Mr Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Minister of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia, H.E. Mr Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim.

Opened to the public, the ASEAN Musical Extravaganza was the brainchild of Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim—who proposed it subsequent to the ASEAN Unity in Cultural Diversity: Towards Strengthening ASEAN Community Declaration signed by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture (AMCA) during the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia last year.