KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2024 – 1 Mont Kiara (“1MK”) marked Malaysia’s Merdeka Day with a vibrant celebration of storytelling, hosting its first-ever Children’s Storytelling Contest. The event saw 56 young orators, aged 4 to 12, step into the spotlight to weave their magic with words and enchant the audience with their captivating tales.
Against the backdrop of a community-painted Jalur Gemilang, the children breathed new life into beloved, classic Malaysian tales like Sang Kancil, Si Tanggang, Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, and Puteri Gunung Ledang. Their creativity shone through enthralling narratives, expressive gestures, and imaginative costumes and props.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Mr. Thiru, a seasoned English teacher, and Ms. Malar, Principal Trainer of MicFront Hartamas, praised the participants’ performances and 1MK’s initiative in organising this educational and uplifting event.
“Through this competition, we aimed to provide a platform for children to unleash their creativity and express themselves,” said Ms. Ivy Chew, 1MK’s Assistant Centre Manager, who was also a part of the judge’s panel. “By focussing on stories with strong moral values, we also hoped to foster a deeper understanding of cultural heritage.”
Though each child was a winner in the audience’s eyes, the judges made the difficult decision to declare winners based on the following criteria: content, fluency, performance, professionalism, and timing.
Competition Results:
Champion: Karlson Tan Thien An, 10 years old (Si Tanggang, the Ungrateful Son)
First Runner-up: Helena Chan binti Aarif Adam Chan, 9 years old (Si Tanggang)
Second Runner-up: Varun Pillai Prabagaran, 11 years old (Sang Kancil and the Banyan Tree)
Consolation Prize:
- Chong Ka Seng Carlson, 7 years old (The Toad and the Big Cow)
- Xavier Chisom Ming Umeh Ang, 5 years old (The Mousedeer and the King of the Jungle)
- Elsa Khaw Wen Qing, 9 years old (Sang Kancil and the Crocodile)
- Ahlaam binti Mohamad Ali, 9 years old (Si Tanggang)
- Cheah Xing En, 10 years old (Belling the Si Tompok)
Karlson Tan, aged 10, claimed the champion title with his powerful rendition of Si Tanggang, wowing the audience with his eloquence and dramatic flair. Karlson, who practised diligently for two weeks, received cash and prizes worth RM500. Helena Chan and Varun Pillai, the first and second runners-up, received cash and prizes worth RM300 and RM200, respectively. The consolation prize winners each received RM50. All participants received certificates in recognition of their efforts.
Consolation prize winner Ahlaam binti Mohamad Ali wins points for her energetic delivery and on-point costume.
Alongside the storytelling contest, a series of engaging fringe activities further enhanced the Merdeka celebrations, including the popular Batik Painting Workshop.
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding performances by each participant and the enthusiasm and support shown by their parents,” added Ms. Chew. “1 Mont Kiara is committed to creating more opportunities like this to nurture the creativity and talents of our young community members.”
The event was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and the audience. For Vanessa Yew, age 8, it was her first storytelling competition. Although she did not win any prizes this round, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained confidence in her public speaking abilities through it. Her mother, Rachel Chin, praised the mall for organising such an educational and inspiring event. It served as a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering cultural understanding, personal growth, and community spirit—a truly fitting tribute to Merdeka Day.