Zaidi (seated, second right) and Jamel (third right) with other organising committee members and participants of Bintang P. Ramlee Ke-16 Zon Sarawak and Wanita Lagu Era P. Ramlee at a press conference.
KUCHING: Bintang P Ramlee, synonymous with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak, has become one of the most popular reality programmes in the country.
The programme targetting those aged 18 to 45 was initiated in 1988 and held once every two years.
This year is its 16th year of its establishment in the state.
According to its producer Zaidi Bujang, RTM entered the national level for 10 years: 1993, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
“For the national level of the singing competition, this year marks its 11th year. It’s time the competition undergoes change to attract more followers inline with current entertainment trends.
“Starting this year, Bintang P. Ramlee made some improvements,” he told a press conference to introduce the participants at RTM Kuching on Aug 10.
Organised by RTM Sarawak in collaboration with the state government, Bintang P. Ramlee Ke-16 is divided into two categories: male and female participants (Lagu Era P. Ramlee).
“We have improved since 2012 to get the best pair to represent Sarawak Zone at the national level.
“The champion of Bintang P. Ramlee Ke-16 and of Kategori Wanita Lagu Era P. Ramlee will be paired off to compete at national level. We hope champions from such partnerships will win the coveted overall singing championship for the state,” Zaidi said.
During the press conference, six participants of Bintang P. Ramlee Ke-16 were introduced: Merazan Mechang, Azrul Rambawi Sanusi, Zainal Bojet, Mohd Zain Jaafar, Mahathir Zailani and Jefry Ismail.
Meanwhile, six participants of Kategori Wanita Era P. Ramlee are Siti Azliyani Jasini, Noorashikin Sekedar, Masitah Mohd Airani, Azelina Osman, Maimunah Yusuf, and Siti Norhidayu Jahili.
They performed solo and battle songs to showcase their singing talent.
The Bintang P. Ramlee Ke-16 Zon Sarawak and Wanita Lagu Era P. Ramlee will be held at Auditorium P. Ramlee RTM Kuching starting 8.30pm on Aug 13.
The competition will be officiated at by Assistant Minister for Land and Air Transportation and Safety, Datuk Lee Kim Shin representing the chief minister.
The event will be made merrier with performances by popular songstress, host and actress Farahdhiya and Bintang P. Ramlee 2014 champion Abu Zahid Ibrahim. All participants will be accompanied by Kombo D’Aspirasi RTM Kuching led by Eugene Clifford Suboh.
The champions for both male and female categories will receive a cash prize of RM3,000. First and second runner-ups will bag RM2,500 and RM2,000, respectively. Consolation prize winners will receive RM1,000 each. All participants will receive a trophy and certificate of participation.
Both male and female champions will represent Sarawak at Bintang P.Ramlee Ke-16 Kebangsaan which will take place at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya on Oct 26.
Director of broadcasting Sarawak Jamel Seman said through this competition, it is hoped that more people would appreciate the artwork of legendary Tan Sri P. Ramlee, especially his ability to cynically highlight issues in society.
“Hopefully, this event will enhance our devotion to the work of the great Tan Sri P. Ramlee which gave us lots of guidance and lessons to emulate to create a society that is productive, innovative and cohesive in line with the 1Malaysia concept,” he added.
The programme will be broadcast live via Sarawak FM and www.rtmsarawak.gov.my/SARAWAKfm as in previous years. It will also be broadcast on television at a later date.
Present at the press conference were RTM Radio Section chief assistant director Faridah Sulong, TV Section acting assistant director Erma Kartika Zaini and secretariat Zainorin Suut.