‘Win at Prague shows Felda youths can dream big'
KUALA LUMPUR: The Maresmaf Wind Orchestra (Mawo) from Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Ulul Albab Felda Trolak has achieved remarkable success by winning the Golden Diploma Award at the 2025 International Wind Orchestra Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.
This achievement demonstrates that young talents from rural areas have tremendous potential to shine on the global stage, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
He hopes that Mawo's victory in the Middle Class category will inspire young people, particularly those from rural communities, to dream big and believe that there are no boundaries to success.
'This victory is more than just musical excellence. It symbolises the indomitable spirit of rural youth taking to the world stage,' Ahmad Zahid said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He added that the triumph belongs not only to MRSM and Felda, but to all Malaysians, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the government will continue investing in youth arts programmes through ongoing support such as funding and providing equipment.
He said as the sole representative from Asia in the competition, Malaysia not only succeeded in outperforming seven other orchestra groups from six European countries but also earned the highest scores from the panel of international professional judges.
'I witnessed firsthand their talent and discipline at the 'Desaku Mendunia' send-off concert on May 28 at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, RTM Angkasapuri,' he said.
The festival, which was held on June 20 and 21, featured 13 orchestra groups from 11 countries.
It was divided into three categories, namely Lower Class, Middle Class and Higher Class, based on the difficulty level of the musical pieces and the technical abilities of the participants.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil described the achievement as a source of pride for the Felda community and all Malaysians.
'Just imagine, this young generation of Felda has just revived the orchestra, yet they've already proven that Felda children are truly Mendonia (global recognition),' he said in a post on social media.
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