Festivals and the Theory of Inclusive Development in Malaysia: Perspectives from a Festival Organizer

Yi Sheng Goh; Pek Yen Teh

doi:10.14764/10.ASEAS-0081

Authors

Yi Sheng Goh Sunway University, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1424-1991
Pek Yen Teh Sunway University, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8177-8636

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-0081

Keywords:

Festivals, Inclusive Development, Malaysia, Participation Typology, Salad Bowl Theory

Abstract

Festivals play a vital role in catalyzing inclusive development through their ability to in-crease social capital. They can enhance social ties through creating shared knowledge, building trust, and forming networks. In the Malaysian context, few studies have been done on how festivals promote inclusive development. Hence, this paper seeks to present a case study on Pangkor Island Festival (PIF), which is a Malaysian arts and culture festival, concerning the process, opportunities, and challenges of inclusive development from the perspectives of the festival organizer. In-depth interviews with the festival organizer and curator and field observations were conducted. Findings show that festivals promote inclusive development through a five-phase process, from establishing relationships with residents and exploring local assets to the sustainability of PIF and inclusive development. This study also suggests three-fold opportunities that include community cohesiveness, revitalization, and cultural value restoration as well as challenges of securing suitable stakeholders

Author Biographies

Yi Sheng Goh, Sunway University, Malaysia

Yi Sheng Goh is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts at Sunway University. She is a design researcher who has broad interests in creating solutions for a better society, among which include community sustainability, place making, healthy ageing, and consumer and aesthetics research. Her works are published in the Journal of Product and Brand Management, Wacana Seni Journal of Arts Discourse, and International Journal of Cultural and Creative Industries among others. She is currently working on The Place Making of Fishing Villages in Malaysia project and other projects related to urban resiliency.

Pek Yen Teh, Sunway University, Malaysia

Pek Yen Teh is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Hospitality and Service Management, Sunway University. Her main research interest area is sustainable tourism studies. She focuses on a few cultural conservation projects in Malaysia. She also researches film studies tourism among Muslim travelers, particular on the Korean Wave in South Korea

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| ASEAS 15(2)Festivals and the Theory of Inclusive Development in Malaysia

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