KOTA KINABALU: The Society Empowerment and Economic Development of Sabah (SEEDS) together with the State Education Department, the Federation of Sabah Chinese Women Associations and JCI Kota Kinabalu jointly organised the Art of Nation Building 2016.
It is the second of its series after the first of its kind was launched last year. The Art of Nation Building Programme is aimed to cultivate a sense of nationhood and belonging, encourage patriotism and instilling loyalty into the hearts of young people by creating awareness on national values, create awareness of the diverse races, ethnicity and cultures of our society, and to create greater understanding of this diversity and thereby acceptance and respect for each other. All of these objectives can be achieved via the medium of art expression.
The Art of Nation Building 2016 Art Competition, themed ‘Hari Jadi Malaysia’, was held from July to August 2016, and received 8,283 entries from various schools throughout the country.
While most were from Sabah, there were also entries from other states such as Penang, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.
Judging was held successfully on September 7 and some 360 art pieces were short-listed and selected. These short-listed artworks were then exhibited for two weeks at Suria Sabah, City Mall, Centre Point, Gaya Street and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The winners were determined based on the factual contents of their work, originality, creativity and their artwork synopsis. The winners will be informed personally and the prize presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held on November 5 at Suria Sabah Shopping mall.
State Education Department director Datuk Hjh Maimunah Hj Suhaibul expressed her delight that the programme’s target of 8,000 participations for this year was achieved and was most encouraging that there was participation also from five other states.
With such astounding response to the programme this year, she is most enthusiastic to promote and realize this programme nationally in the next coming year.
Dr Pamela Yong, the organising chairperson and SEEDS fellow in a statement explained that the Art of Nation Building is not just about the contestants unleashing their artistic skills, but rather also aimed at educating schoolchildren on what is fictional and factual about the formation of Malaysia.
For instance, some students refer to 1957 as the year Malaysia was born when the correct year should be 1963, she said.
She also expressed her utmost appreciation to the venue sponsors for allowing the use of their floor space for the exhibition of the short-listed art pieces.
SEEDS chairman Datuk Badil Zaman said the Art of Nation Building is not the work of one group alone but a combination of efforts by different NGOs in Sabah.
This is something positive as NGOs are willing to work together to achieve common grounds, he said and expressed hope that through participation in this program, young Malaysians will learn and appreciate the history of our country, and our successes thus far.
“May they then eventually mature into patriotic citizens who will in their own ways continue to build on these successes for a progressive and unified Malaysia,” he said.
The competition was divided into three main categories. A top cash prize up to RM1,000 awaits winners for the Higher Secondary School Category while runners-up and third place winners will get RM700 and RM500 respectively. The next top 10 participants are eligible for consolation prizes of RM150 each.
For the Lower Secondary School Category, champions will take home a top cash prize of RM800 while runners-up and third place victors will bag RM500 and RM300 respectively. The next top 10 participants in this category will get consolation prizes of RM100 each.
Apart from prizes for creative and factually correct artworks, participating schools with the highest number of submissions will also take home trophies, certificates and prizes
The school with the most number of participation category was SJK (C) Chung Hwa KK for the primary level with 907 entries while SMK St Francis won for the secondary level with 1,136 entries.
The results are as follows:-
Upper secondary:
Champion: Chen Yee Kee – Kian Kok Middle School
First runner-up : Maxine Wong – SM Tshung Tsin
Second runner-up: Khoo Yoong Tiam Debbie – SM Yu Yuan, Sandakan
Consolations
Lynz Lee – SM Tshung Tsin
Muhammad Nabil bin Ahmad Nizam – SM Teknik Johor Bahru
Michael Vun Yi Lung – SM Shan Tao
Lee Vv Ee – Sabah Chinese High School
Suraidah Binti Saili – SMK Pekan Kuala Penyu
Michelle Chen Ping Yan – SM Tshung Tsin
Michelle Vun Yi Ling – SM Tshung Tsin
Phoebe Leong Yi Ling – SM Tshung Tsin
Lim Ting Shiuan Samuel – SM Sung Siew, Sandakan
Vivian Tan Voon Yen – Sekolah Tinggi Kota Kinabalu
Lower Secondary
Champion: Ooi Li Wen – SMJK Phor Tay, Pulau Pinang
First runner-up: Chin Bao Er – SM Tshung Tsin
Second runner-up: Chong Ka Zen – Kian Kok Middle School
Consolations
Ooi Li Xin – SMJK Phor Tay, Pulau Pinang
Jason Ng Chan Fung – Kian Kok Middle School;
Kennice Sia Tze Rong – SM Tshung Tsin
Muhammad Khairulamirin B. Mohd Raimy – SMKA Maahad Muar, Johor
Florence Wong Yee Ru – Sabah Chinese High School
Chee Yung Ting – Sabah Chinese High School
Alexter Abel Justin – SMK St Peter Bundu, Kuala Penyu
Muhammad Faris Haikal Bin Khairul Anuar – SK Sri Adika Raja, Gerik, Perak
Andre John – SMK St Peter Bundu, Kuala Penyu
Irynna Irwan – SMK St Francis Convent
Primary School
Champion: How Jing Xin – SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Likas
First runner-up: Chen Yi Wen – SJK (C) Chung Hwa, KK
Second runner-up: Chia Yee XIn – SRJK (C) Pui Gin, Sandakan
Consolations
Chee Ying Xuan – SJK (C) Yun Chin, Tawau
Joel Sia Zhao Yu – SJK (C) Chung Hwa, KK
Lim Wei Xiang – SJK (C) Yuk Chin, Tawau
Selina Lim Shi Qi – SJK (C) Shan Tao
Kavern Ooi – SJK (C) Yuk Chin, Tawau
Daphne Chu Yoong Kei – SRJK (C) Pui Gin, Sandakan
Elton Tan Jun – SJK (C) Yuk Chin, Tawau
Lo Xiang Yi – SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Likas
Pau Jin Shun – SJK (C) Shan Tao
Chin Bao Sheng – SJK (C) Anglo Chinese