KUCHING: A United States-based participant was among those who stole the limelight at the grand finale of the Pertandingan Bintang Lagu Klasik Iban 2023 here Saturday.
Ethan Hunt who belted out two songs, “Pulai Meh Sulu” and “Penyayau Enda Luya,” put up a credible performance to finish second in the competition.
The event, held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here , was organised by the Malaysian Iban Art Association (MIAA).
It was wopn by Tebedu-based civil servant Gilbert Annie who sang “Udah Laun Tua Betemu” and “Enti Pengerindu Udah Beserangan” to earn the top prize of RM 2,500, a trophy, hamper and a certificate.
Nicholas Layang from Samarahan, finished third with the songs “Lyana” and “Tusah Ati Tinggal Bini”.
The Most Popular Participant category was won by Gilbert Annie and the Best Performance Participant category by Nicholas Layang.
Head of the judging panel, Datuk Zamery Amera, said he did not expect that one of the contestants from abroad would make it to the grand finale.
“In the old days, we only had competitions at school and in the district, but now Iban music has become known to the public,” he said, adding that the Iban music industry has grown a lot, thanks to social media.
Having said that he stressed the need to keep lyrics as authentic as possible in the Iban language.
“The latest generation of teenagers need to learn to use Iban language books, old Iban language books with Iban proverbs,” he said, adding that the language can be inserted in song lyrics.
