
Storytelling competition inspires patriotism among Sarawak students
KUCHING (July 25): The 'Pengisahan Kenegaraan @ Kelab Malaysiaku 2025' competition is more than just a storytelling contest – it serves as a key platform to foster patriotism, instil national values and cultivate students' appreciation for Malaysia's independence heroes.
Organised under the Information Department's 'Kelab Malaysiaku' programme, the event focused on dramatic storytelling that incorporated strong elements of patriotism, nationhood, and historical appreciation.
Topics included national policies, Malaysia's development milestones, constitutional values, and the struggles of independence fighters.
All entries were submitted in the form of pre-recorded videos, each not exceeding 15 minutes.
Information Department Sarawak deputy director Sri Kestury Mohammed Zamhari said the competition plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of young Malaysians through creative narration and performance.
'Through storytelling and creative delivery, students are not only taught to honour our national heroes, but also guided to embrace noble values and a spirit of nationhood,' she said during the Sarawak-level finals held virtually yesterday.
She commended the students for their creativity and commitment, adding that this year's theme, 'Malaysia Madani, Rakyat Disantuni', aligns with the government's efforts to promote unity, compassion, and respect among Malaysians.
Emerging as state champion was Kelab Malaysiaku from Sekolah Seni Malaysia Sarawak, who will represent Sarawak at the national finals in September.
The winning team defeated five other schools and took home RM1,000 in cash, a plaque, and a certificate.
Second place went to SMK Tatau, who won RM700, while SMK Paku, Bau placed third with RM500.
Consolation prizes of RM300 each were awarded to SMK Jalan Arang (Kuching), SMK Jalan Oya (Sibu), and SMK St Anthony (Sarikei).
The virtual event was also attended by district Information officers, participants, and teacher coordinators.
Judging the competition were Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's (Unimas) Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts lecturer Mawar Suhaila Abdul Bakar, National Film Development Corporation (Finas) Sarawak branch publishing officer Mohamad Haziq Mirza Othman, and senior officers from Information Department Sarawak. Information Department lead Pengisahan Kenegaraan storytelling contest
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Elvis ready to make waves in Singapore
Sarawak, Elvis Priestley Clement on action during 3 meter springboard. He won gold. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star KUALA LUMPUR: He may share a name with a rock 'n' roll legend, but 18-year-old Elvis Priestly Clement (pic) is making a name for himself in a completely different arena – the diving pool. Once a relatively unknown athlete competing at last year's Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuching, the Sarawak-born diver is now gearing up for the biggest stage of his career – the World Championships in Singapore from July 26-Aug 2.


Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
SMK Kunak Jaya (B) Sabah State National Storytelling champion
Performance by SMK Kunak Jaya (B) team.-Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 26): Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kunak Jaya (Team B) emerged as the champion of this year's Sabah State-level National Storytelling Competition. SMK Kunak Jaya (Team A) was the runner-up, followed by SMK Putatan in third place. SMK Bandau Kota Marudu, SMK Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu and SMK Menumbok Kuala Penyu secured fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively. Deputy Director of Information, Supian Musa, stated that the competition aimed to foster love and pride as Malaysians, especially among school students. 'Additionally, they can learn about national art figures and personalities related to the country's development. Through this competition, they also discover the sacrifices these figures made for the nation in the struggle for independence, as well as their contributions to our country's arts and culture. With this event, students gain awareness of the dedication and services rendered by these icons,' he told the media after the judging session for the Sabah State-level National Storytelling Competition Finals here on Tuesday. The official announcement of the competition results was made on the Sabah State Information Department's Facebook page on Saturday. Supian, who is also the chief judge of the competition, added that such contests amplify patriotic spirit and love for the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) in conjunction with the upcoming National Day on August 31. 'What I've observed after over five years as chief judge is that teams are showing improvement in their ability to creatively interpret history and stories about their chosen figures. We hope students will deeply appreciate these figures and subsequently communicate their stories through theater,' he said. As champions, SMK Kunak Jaya (B) will represent Sabah in the video-recorded National-level Storytelling Competition in August. The top six teams will then compete in person on September 16.


New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Is the cinema night history?
IN a world where Hollywood blockbusters share digital space with quiet indie gems on streaming platforms, the classic movie-going ritual is facing stiff competition. But are younger Malaysians really breaking up with the big screen? Or is there still magic in the cinema lights and surround sound? The smell of popcorn, the hush that falls as the lights dim, the collective gasp during plot twists; they're all part of the full experience. Amira (not her full name), 22, agrees. "I prefer cinemas, hands down," she says. "There's the atmosphere, the anticipation. You plan the outing, you dress up, and you sit there with your friends. No distractions, just the movie the way it's meant to be watched." But she admits it's not perfect. "Tickets and snacks can burn a hole in your wallet. And you can't just sprawl in bed or pause to grab snacks like you can at home. But for me, the trade-off is worth it. It's something to look forward to." Amira isn't alone in choosing the big screen. Haziqah, 23, agrees that cinema outings still hold strong appeal. She doesn't enjoy watching movies on phones or laptops and says cinema visits are a chance to spend quality time with loved ones. "It can be expensive, so I don't go every week. But once in a while, it's a treat." Then there's Ameen, a self-declared moviegoer, who believes some films are simply designed for theatres. "The sound system, the screen... it's immersive. That's the whole point of cinema." He also points out one overlooked cinema con: "Sometimes there's a serious toilet shortage during packed shows." Still, streaming platforms aren't rolling the credits anytime soon. For Alysa, 21, the choice is clear: comfort always wins. "I like streaming more," she says. "You can pause, you can lie down, and if I fall asleep, which happens a lot, I can just rewatch later." She also appreciates the cost savings and flexibility. "You pay once a month and you can watch whatever, whenever. It's great for someone like me who likes rewatching things and hates sitting still for too long." There's no denying streaming services offer the kind of freedom that cinemas can't match. With ever-growing choices, viewers can build their own movie nights around their moods, dinner plans, or attention spans. And with smart TVs, soundbars, and projectors becoming more affordable, the line between "home cinema" and actual cinema is blurry. For many in their early 20s, juggling studies, side gigs, and social lives, the option to press play at midnight or watch a movie in parts over a few days just makes sense. The streaming-first strategy reshapes entire viewing cultures. Rom-coms, once cinema staples that drew dating couples and friend groups, now debut directly on platforms. Animated films that traditionally introduced children to theatrical magic are increasingly launched in living rooms instead. This shift creates cascading effects. Children growing up without regular cinema experiences might never develop the communal viewing appreciation that previous generations took for granted. The ritual of "going to the movies" risks becoming as antiquated as drive-in theatres or video rental stores. But the cinema is evolving. Reclining seats, gourmet snacks, and loyalty apps are all part of the industry's strategy to keep audiences returning. Some now offer exclusive premieres with cast appearances, special merchandise, collectible posters, and early-bird freebies that aren't available elsewhere. Limited 35mm screenings of films shot on film stock add another layer of appeal for cinephiles. These unique draws create a sense of occasion that can't be replicated in a living room. In the middle of this cinematic tug-of-war lies the hybrid audience: those who stream casually but reserve cinema trips for the "worth it" titles. These are the folks who'll watch comedies and rom-coms on streaming platforms but head to the cinema for the next Christopher Nolan spectacle or a Marvel finale. The pros and cons of both are clear. Cinemas offer unmatched atmosphere, communal energy, and that spine-tingling moment when the opening scene begins. Streaming offers accessibility, control, and affordability. Rather than declaring victory for either side, perhaps the real winner is choice itself. Young Malaysians can now tailor their movie experiences to match their moods, budgets, and social preferences. And as long as there are friends to laugh with and the occasional plot twist that demands to be seen on the big screen, there'll always be a place for both.