Peter (fourth right) and Edmund (third right) with all the winners of East Malaysia Talent Star Kota Kinabalu Selection.
KOTA KINABALU: The Mergers Crew won the Kota Kinabalu selection East Malaysia Talent Star competition after beating ten other highly-talented finalists ranging from singers, break dancers, magicians and impersonators.
The all-girls dance group consisting of five energetic and acrobatic young girls gyrated, sashayed and mesmerized the jury and the packed crowd with their gravity-defying dance move, earning them the right to represent Kota Kinabalu in the grand final to be held at Imago Shopping Complex on July 25 and 26.
Second place went to a mixed and unusual group of beatboxers and venthroloquists who thrilled the audience with their witty and hilarious remarks and mimiciking legends like P. Ramlee and Jacklyn Victor. Even singer Peter Dicky Lee and beatboxer Nobitaben were not spared by their jibes and parodies.
Third place went to another dance group, The Hype Daft Definition with their highly energetic and creative performance. Best Showmanship Award went to solo dancer, Freddy.
Power-packed veteran singer, Michelle, who sang a lung-bursting Celine Dion number, with her flowing and flowery dress, won the Best Costume Award.
Taking home the Most Popular Award was krumper Brian Insaint. Krumping a highly energy-draining new dance genre has become the latest dance craze in Sabah after beatboxing. This latest dance genre originated from America and Sabah is now among its latest destination with Brian Insaint heading the new dance community in Sabah.
Most Creative went to dance impersonator, Thomas Ceaser who impersonated crowd pleasing personas like Jeniffer Lopez, Madonna and Britney Spears all roll into one.
Main sponsor, Sports TOTO Malaysia representative area sales officer Edmund Ong said that his company would support positive and healthy-youth oriented programme like this, that would deter the youth from getting involved in negative activities like drugs, vandalism, loitering and gang fight.
Organized by Borneo Events Production, the next destination after Kota Kinabalu are Papar (May 30), Labuan (June 6), Keningau (June 7), Tawau (June 13), Lahad Datu (June 14), Kota Marudu (June 21), Sandakan (July 18) before proceeding to Miri, Bintulu, Kuching, Sibu, Serian and Sarikei, culminating in the semi-final and grand final at Imago Shopping Mall on July 25 and 26.