The Sandakan International Music and Dance Festival (SIMDF) was founded in 2014 by Malaysian soprano Ms. Ng Kun Kuen. It is a prestigious cultural and artistic event that brings together music and dance talents from around the world, aiming to foster artistic exchange, enhance professional standards, and promote the development of both regional and international music culture. The festival has been supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), JKKN, Tourism Malaysia, and the Sandakan Tourism Association. Academic support has been provided by Nanhua University (Department of Ethnomusicology, Taiwan), HKYPA, Trinity College London, and ABRSM, while V-Tech Computer has contributed technical support.

SIMDF attracts outstanding musicians and renowned masters from around the world, including those from Taiwan, the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and more, to Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, to partake in this grand celebration of music and dance. The festival not only facilitates cross-cultural musical exchange but also significantly contributes to the advancement of international music academia, regional music education, and cultural promotion.