Rokiah Mahmud
Gabungan Emosi Reaksi Kreative (GERAK) Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) won a pantun competition yesterday and received a BND500 cash prize, while Santul came in second place snatching BND400.
Meanwhile, Pitabu took the third spot and received BND300 while Surapit came in fourth place and received BND100.
The competition named ‘Pantun Sebagai Khazanah Bangsa: Sayembara Berbalas Pantun’ was organised by DBP through its Research, Documentation and Recognition Division as part of the Brunei Malay Arts and Culture Festival held in conjunction with Language Month 2022.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah was the guest of honour who presented the prizes.
DBP Acting Director Suip bin Haji Abdul Wahab, as Chairman of Brunei Malay Literature and Arts Festival and advisor for Sayembara Berbalas Pantun, said the activities were carried out to uphold the status of the Malay language as well as enhance appreciation among the community on the importance of the national language. The competition also provided participants with an opportunity to showcase and polish their talents.
The pantun competition was part of Pantun Sebagai Khazanah Bangsa Workshop held from July 18 to 20.
The teams who battled it out in the competition were: Santul, GERAK DBP, Surapit and Pitabu. Dayangku Norsafiah binti Pengiran Sapudin from GERAK DBP was crowned Best Pemantun.
The panel of judges comprised Dr Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Haji Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba and Mohammed Zefri Ariff bin Mohammed Zain Ariff, chaired by Haji Daud bin Haji Matarsat.
