Hawana: The HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival has successfully raised awareness on reviving Malay cultural arts, particularly within the field of journalism, says Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. She remarked that the inaugural competition demonstrated the capability of media practitioners to address current issues through the beauty of the national language while showcasing their creativity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur-ul Afida expressed that observing the pantun (Malay poetic verses) exchanged during the festival was both entertaining and enlightening as they highlighted current issues in a distinctive style. She acknowledged the challenge of composing pantun, which necessitates skill and a profound appreciation for the language. These remarks were made during an interaction with Bernama after the event held at Wisma Bernama.
Also in attendance were Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus, Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Economic News Service) Azlina Aziz, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Language and Literature Development Department director Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
Nur-ul Afida further commented that the festival served not just as a competition but as a platform to empower the nation’s cultural heritage. Bernama is dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the use of the Malay language in journalism, believing that such culture-based initiatives can forge connections between the media, language, and society. She expressed her hope for the continuation of the Pantun Festival next year as a second edition in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA).
Abang Haliman commended the pantun festival’s organization, noting its role in fostering a deep awareness among media professionals about the significance of language and literature. He emphasized that the experience gained from participating in the festival would aid media professionals in improving the quality of their journalistic services. Furthermore, he acknowledged the crucial support and collaboration from entities like Bernama in championing the Malay language.
The HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival, themed “Classic Traditional Malay,” was conducted in conjunction with HAWANA 2025, scheduled from June 13 to 15. The event’s highlight will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) on June 14.
A total of 32 participants from eight teams, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Malaysia Gazette, Sinar Harian, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Media Prima Berhad’s News and Current Affairs Unit, and Bernama, competed from as early as 9 am. The finalists, teams from the Islamic Content Department of TV3 and Astro Radio News, will compete for the title, with winners to be announced on June 14. The champions will receive RM3,000 in cash, while the runners-up will get RM2,000, along with trophies and certificates.