Malam Patriotisme

Prof Choong (front row, ninth from left) celebrating Patriotism Night with the participants

Malam Patriotisme, the finale and highlight of one-month campus event—Bulan Patriotisme 2017, was organised by the Faculty of Creative Industries’s (FCI) Department of General Studies to commemorate the 60th National Day at Sungai Long Campus on 25 August 2017.

The night was graced by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong. In his talk, he encouraged the students and staff to take part in future meaningful events and to build a network among colleagues and friends during the month of Merdeka in August and the celebration of the unification of Malaysia in September.

Following the speech was the 24-festive drum performance titled Apparition which captured the audience’s attention with its story about a spirit doll. Four female student dancers, in colourful costumes, also rhythmically performed a traditional dance called Kolattam. It is an ancient village art that involves energetic and lively dance moves and whirls by using sticks or dandiyas to make the rhythmic sound. The dance is typically performed by women during the new moon night after Deepavali. 

The Kolam designs

Furthermore, the Kolam design competition also took place on the same day, where the participants formed a collage and portrait on a piece of mahjong paper using three coloured rice. The participating Kolam designs were displayed at the Multipurpose Hall, which included the patterns of flags, stars, peacocks, colourful flowers, the map of Malaysia, the portrait of Tunku Abdul Rahman and the resemblance of the Merdeka declamation.

The judges for the singing competition (from right): Maxwell, Nurul Izwazi, Dr Sharon, Muhamad Albarr, and Zachary, with FCI Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng and Dr Ngeow Yeok Meng

At the patriotism night, poem recitation under the staff category was performed by FCI Abdul Satar bin Abdullah Harun, titled “Epilog Merdeka Tanah Pusaka”. Apart from that, singing competition, short videos and patriotic poem writing competitions also took place to decide which contestant has best expressed their love for the nation and the people. The judges for patriotic song singing competition were FCI Dr Sharon Jacqueline Albert Wilson, Maxwell Sim Yik Seng, Muhamad Albarr bin Che Omar, Zachary Roland A.F. Anthony, and Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of Sungai Long Campus Nurul Izwazi binti Mohd Nor.

Playing the famed Chinese Princess Hang Li Po in a musical

To spice up the night, the Enchanted Choir performed patriotic songs in Mandarin, Malay, Sumazau, Kadazandusun and other folk songs encompassing Gelang, Si Paku Gelang, Lenggang Kangkung and Jong Jong Inai all incorporated in this medley. The group later presented two songs; one illustrated on the importance of culture to the females, whilst the other showcased the beautiful Princess Hang Li Po who settled down in Malacca due to her love for the Sultan and the local people.

Another highlight of the event was the announcement of the Best Dressed Awards.  FCI lecturer Brahmmakumari Balaraman was crowned Ratu Malam Patriosme with her green traditional Indian saree; whilst the title Raja went to Department of Safety and Security (DSS) of Sungai Long Campus Head Colonel Zainudin bin Mustaffa.

The event also saw a prize-giving ceremony which was held to present awards to the winners of the various competition. The lists of the winner for different competitions are as follows:

Patriotic Song Singing Competition:

Soloist Category	Group Category
1st place: Mohd Yusof bin Zulkefli   2nd place: Wahi Irwan bin Abd Kahar   3rd place: Abdul Satar bin Abdullah Harun	1st place: Colonel Zainudin bin Mustaffa & Muhammad Sallehudin bin Mohamed Sidek 2nd place: Chong Kum Weng, Tay Wan Sen & Low Wei Jing 3rd place: Nur Halimaton Sakdiah binti Harun &  Nur'Ain Syaffiqa binti Abdul Suhaimi

Short Video Clips Competition:

1st place: Lim Tze Shuang 2nd place: Choo Pen-Ni  3rd place: Ong Yue Sian

 Patriotic Poem Writing:

Staff Category	Student Category
1st place: Mohd Yusof bin Zulkefli (Poem entitled Epilog Putera Pasca Merdeka)   2nd place: Fatin Masturah binti Mohd Isa (Poem entitled Tanah Airku)	1st place: Chew Pan Soon (Poem entitled Keluh Anak Pertiwi)   2nd place: Harvindaen Muniandy (Poem entitled Demi Negara Tercinta)   3rd place: Vikhneskumar Selvakumar (Poem entitled Oh Malaysia, Negaraku)