Kuala lumpur: The Information Department (JAPEN) is inviting Malaysians to express their creativity and patriotism through two art contests in celebration of the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Klik@Merdeka photography contest and the MyDoodle@Merdeka colouring and drawing competition will take place from August 1 to September 1. Participants are encouraged to submit their entries via the official portal, www.merdeka360.my. Nor Azli Mohd Nor Azian, JAPEN’s senior deputy director of the Visual Communication and Design Division, highlighted that these contests were initially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to garner substantial interest annually.
Previously, the colouring and drawing competition attracted over 80,000 entries, while Klik@Merdeka received more than 5,000 submissions. Nor Azli shared these details during an appearance on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme, emphasizing the ongoing appeal of the contests.
The Klik@Merdeka contest is open to Malaysians aged 15 and older. Participants are required to submit photographs that capture the essence of independence, aligning with the HKHM 2025 theme ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’ and the principles of the Rukun Negara.
Submissions for Klik@Merdeka can be taken using any recording device such as a smartphone or DSLR camera. Judges will evaluate entries based on originality and innovative ideas. Prizes for the contest include RM3,000 for the grand prize winner, RM2,000 for the runner-up, and RM1,000 for third place, along with five consolation prizes of RM500 each. Winners will also receive a plaque and a certificate of appreciation.
The MyDoodle@Merdeka competition consists of a colouring contest for primary school students and a drawing contest for secondary school students. The primary school category is divided into age groups of seven to nine and 10 to 12 years, with participants required to use colour pencils. The organisers provide the drawings, which can be downloaded from the competition portal.
Secondary school participants, aged 13 to 17, are free to use any medium for their A3-sized artworks, as long as they reflect the independence theme for the year.