Kuala Lumpur: TV3’s Islamic Programming Department and Astro Radio News are set to compete in the finals of the first-ever HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival, a competition celebrating traditional Malay poetry, in honor of National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025. The winner is expected to be announced on June 14 during the main HAWANA 2025 celebration.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the champion of the festival will receive RM3,000 in cash, while the runner-up will be awarded RM2,000. Both teams will also earn trophies and certificates for their accomplishments. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) claimed third place, with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) finishing fourth.
Nurul Amilin Idrus from RTM, known as Melati Suntingan, was recognized with the Best Pantun Reciter Award, while TV3’s Islamic Programming Department secured the Best Costume Award. Teams from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Sinar Harian, the Media Prima News Unit, and Malaysia Gazette received consolation prizes.
Chief judge ‘Azimin Daud, a language planner and special officer to the director-general of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), hailed the event as a milestone in promoting linguistic art and opening new opportunities within journalism. He commented that the competition demonstrated the growing embrace of pantun, as journalists and media practitioners actively participated in this poetic exchange.
‘Azimin highlighted that despite being the festival’s inaugural edition, the high caliber of participants suggested strong potential for future expansion. He explained that the evaluation process surpassed merely naming a winner, focusing on delivery precision, clarity of meaning, and content accuracy.
He also noted that the festival provided creative therapy for journalists, offering them an expressive outlet beyond their regular news duties. Meanwhile, Best Pantun Reciter winner Nurul Amilin expressed her surprise and gratitude for the win, attributing it to thorough preparation and past experiences.
TV3’s Azrin Md Isa, from the Islamic Programming Department, elaborated on their Best Costume win, inspired by the Kedah Tua era. The team focused on incorporating traditional sarongs and period-appropriate accessories, highlighting a royal court theme to align with classical Malay aesthetics.
Azrin remarked that the victory was a proud achievement, reflecting the team’s dedication to meeting the festival’s thematic and aesthetic expectations.