WE ARE THE BEST: (From left) Syuhada, Fatmawati and Shahreaaz share the joy of winning. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa.
KUCHING: It was an unforgettable birthday gift for Fatmawati Helmi who won the Bintang Kecil 2012 Sarawak Zone held at Auditorium P Ramlee here yesterday.
Fatmawati, who just turned 10 on July 4, received RM2,000 cash, trophy and certificate from guest-of-honour Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The pupil of SK Tabuan Hilir sang ‘Tiada Kepastian’ to clinch the title.
She was one of eight finalists in the event held annually since 27 years ago.
The youngest in the family of five told reporters after the prize-giving ceremony that she had been confident of winning.
“This is my second time participating in the Bintang Kecil. I did not pass the audition on my first attempt in 2011,” she recalled, adding that she was trained for the competition by her mother and a vocal teacher.
Ambitious to be a doctor, Fatmawati said singing was her hobby since she was six.
The first runner-up was Nur Syuhada Afiqah Roestardimon, 11, from Miri, who sang ‘Bertemu Di Kalbu’. The pupil of SK
Anchi, Piasau, Miri, received RM1,500 cash, a trophy and certificate.
Another Kuchingite, Muhammad Shahreaaz Abu Samah, 10, was in third place, receiving RM1,000 cash, a trophy and certificate.
Best Performer Perry Yang Tchie Hunn, 11, from Sri Aman received the consolation prize, pocketing a total of RM1,000 cash (RM500 from each of the two prizes).
Ulya Amani Halim Cheng, Mohd Azirul Afzan Mohd Azni, Nur Aina Adilah Hipni and Razid Isomail won consolation prizes. Each received RM500 cash, a trophy and certificate.