Well-done: Fadhlina (back row, centre) and Goh (back row, second from left) posing for a photo with the SMK Tinggi Batu Pahat team members and their teachers. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
MALAYSIAN folklore, with tales of curses and battles, makes for exciting storytelling and theatre performances, Maxis eKelas HIPMax StoryFest 2024 winners enthuse.
Now in its sixth year, HIPMax StoryFest 2024 comprised two categories: individual storytelling and group theatre, with three age groups per category – upper primary, lower secondary and upper secondary – aimed at offering a platform for Year Four to Form Five students to develop their communication skills.Jaskaran Singh Gill Manjit Singh, 14, whose team acted out the Malay classic Si Tanggang, said the story is both exciting and meaningful.
“Si Tanggang reminds me of how I argue with my father but we still love and forgive each other,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony at Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur, on Sept 24.In the story, Si Tanggang, a poor boy who marries a rich merchant’s daughter, is cursed by his broken-hearted mother and turned to stone after he refuses to acknowledge her and his humble background.Jaskaran Singh Gill, together with his friends from SMK Tinggi Batu Pahat, Johor, won the grand prize in the lower secondary theatre category.
His best friend and skit narrator Muhammad Harith Rizqi Mohd Azhar, 14, said he could not believe it when their teacher informed them of the win.
“I am very grateful and hope to participate in the HIPMax StoryFest again next year,” he added.
The team of five received a certificate and a mobile tablet each.Qaisara Aleesya Asri, 13, who selected the story of Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang, said the tale from Sarawak, her home state, was the obvious choice.
Her teammate Nur Aleesya Safiyya Ahmad Zaidi, 13, said the story is about two princesses from the sky who fall in love with a handsome prince.
In a fight over him, Puteri Santubong kills the other princess and both are cursed to become Mount Santubong and Mount Sejinjang in Sarawak.
Upon learning that they had come in third in the lower secondary theatre category, and would be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the finale, the team of five, were stunned.
“We kept wondering if we were being scammed,” she said with a laugh.
Nur Aleesya Safiyya said the team from SMK Kidurong, Sarawak, had to practise diligently as they were required to record their play and submit it for the competition.
She said the HIPMax workshop had been helpful in honing their acting skills for the competition.
“We also learnt how to project our voices,” she said.
The team received book vouchers worth RM300 and a certificate each for their efforts.
Syazana Alyaa Mohamad Terang, who won third prize in the upper secondary storytelling category, said she had chosen the story of Monsopiad, a famous Kadazan-Dusun headhunter who saves his village from robbers, as his legend is thrilling.
The 17-year-old from SMK Sibu Jaya, Sarawak, who took home book vouchers worth RM300 and a certificate, said she joined the HIPMax StoryFest 2024 because she loves English.
“This is my third time participating. When I was given the opportunity to come here, I was very excited,” she said, adding that this marked her final year of taking part in the competition.The HIPMax StoryFest, which ran from May 2 to July 31, is a collaboration between Maxis eKelas and the Education Ministry’s English Language Teaching Centre.
The prizes were presented by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Also present was Maxis chief executive officer Goh Seow Eng.
HIPMax StoryFest 2024, he said, was closely aligned with the ministry’s English Language Education Empowerment Plan and embedded in the ministry’s new English Language Education Enhancement Plan (3PBI).
“This year, we received more than 11,000 entries – over 3,000 more than last year – from students across the country,” he said.
