SMK Ghafar Baba tops DRB-HICOM-Harian Metro Melaka pantun competition
BANDA HILIR: SMK Ghafar Baba emerged as champion of the 2026 DRB-HICOM-Harian Metro Proverb-themed Pantun Competition at the Melaka state level yesterday.
The SMK Ghafar Baba school emerged victorious in the 2026 DRB-HICOM-Harian Metro Proverb-themed Pantun Competition at the state level in Banda Hilir, Melaka. This triumph secured the school's participation in the Southern Zone final, set to take place at Maktab Abu Bakar in Johor Bahru on September 29. The championship will pit SMK Ghafar Baba against champions from Negri Sembilan and Johor, with the overall title up for grabs.
The prize ceremony was presided over by Cairil Irwan Amir, the chief communications officer of DRB-HICOM Berhad, alongside Harian Metro Group editor Husain Jahit, Director of the Language and Literature Development Department at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Abang Haliman Abang Julai, Mahfudzah Mohamed Noor, Director of the Melaka Education Department, and Johan Othman, Principal of SMK Tinggi Melaka.
The competition featured four contestants from SMK Ghafar Baba — Putera Hirfan Abdullah, Muhammad Hasif Muhammad Fazlie, Muhammad Hafiy Iskandar Mohd Hazri, and Nur Aisyy Humairah Mohd Rajab, all of whom contributed to their team's victory. SMK Pernu placed fourth, receiving RM800 in cash, a trophy, and a certificate, while SMK Ayer Keroh and SMKA Sharifah Rodziah shared fifth place, each receiving RM600 in cash, a DRB-HICOM trophy, and a certificate.
Over 300 students attended the competition, which was judged by four experts, including Dr Hairul Anuar Harun, Dr Faezah Muhayat, Musazliza Mustan Shir, and Dr Mohamad Shaidan. Husain Jahit, editor of Harian Metro Group, emphasized that the competition highlights the synergy between the media, corporate sector, and education in fostering confident, insightful young people rooted in national identity.
He further stated that Harian Metro's role extends beyond reporting news to preserving the nation's identity and heritage, with a particular focus on introducing the art of pantun to younger generations. Cairil Irwan Amir, chief communications officer of DRB-HICOM Berhad, highlighted the competition's role in empowering young people through talent development and lifelong learning opportunities.
He explained that the event is not solely about identifying a champion but also serves as a platform to revive pantun among students while enhancing their creativity and communication skills. DRB-HICOM, a strategic collaboration partner in organizing the competition, introduced the program as a pilot project at the Selangor state level in 2025.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
