Television station TV3 has successfully retained its crown at the HAWANA-DBP 2026 Pantun Festival, cementing its position as the dominant force in competitive pantun recitation among Malaysia's media organisations. The victory, announced at the main HAWANA 2026 celebration held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena, marks back-to-back championship wins for the broadcaster, whose squad defeated seven other competing teams to claim the prestigious title.

TV3's championship-winning ensemble comprised Mohammad Nor Affiq Norshamsudin, Mohd Safwan Sawi, Azrin Md Isa, and Mohamed Hirsham Azmi, each contributing to the station's successful defence of the title it first captured at last year's inaugural competition. The calibre of their performance reflected months of preparation and dedication to mastering the classical Malay art form of pantun, which has experienced a notable resurgence in contemporary Malaysian media circles. By retaining the trophy, TV3 demonstrated not only technical proficiency in pantun composition and recitation but also a deep understanding of the cultural nuances embedded within this traditional literary tradition.

The significance of the victory was magnified by the presence of high-level government officials who graced the award presentation ceremony. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally presented the prizes to the winning teams, alongside Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. This prominent gathering underscored the Malaysian government's commitment to preserving and promoting indigenous cultural practices, particularly within professional media environments where such traditions are increasingly valued as markers of national identity and linguistic heritage.

TV3 claimed RM3,000 in prize money alongside a trophy and certificates of participation, while Bernama, which emerged as the runner-up, secured RM2,000 in cash rewards along with its own trophy and credentials. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) finished in third place, with the newspaper Berita Harian claiming fourth position among the eight participating teams. The competition structure ensured representation from Malaysia's major media outlets, effectively turning the festival into a showcase of talent across television, news agencies, and print journalism.

Beyond the primary championship award, the festival recognised excellence in specific categories that highlighted different dimensions of pantun performance. Muhammad Syukri Khairulannuar, representing Bernama, earned the distinction of Best Pantun Performer, acknowledging his individual contribution despite his team's runner-up finish. Meanwhile, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) team claimed the Best Attire Award, indicating that the competition valued not merely the spoken word but also the cultural presentation and visual presentation accompanying the performance of pantun.

The competition itself drew 32 participants who gathered at Panggung Sari, Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur on May 9, months before the main HAWANA celebration in Butterworth. By scheduling the pantun festival as a preliminary event leading up to the broader National Journalists' Day festivities, organisers strategically positioned this cultural competition as a central element of the HAWANA 2026 programme. The thematic focus on 'Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility' created natural synergies with the pantun tradition, which fundamentally rests upon honest expression and authentic cultural representation.

TV3 team leader Mohammad Nor Affiq reflected on the weight of responsibility that accompanied defending a championship title. In remarks to journalists, he acknowledged that leading the team through preparation for a repeat victory presented psychological and technical challenges beyond those faced during an inaugural competition. However, he credited his mentor and TV3 host Ahmad Fedtri Yahya with providing the motivational guidance necessary to overcome initial hesitations and commit fully to the demanding preparation process required to succeed at the festival.

Nor Affiq's gratitude extended to his teammates, family members, and supporters who sustained the collective effort throughout months of training and refinement. His statement reflected a recognition that competitive success in traditional arts requires not merely individual talent but sustained encouragement from one's immediate circle and broader professional community. The emphasis on collective achievement rather than individual glory demonstrated how pantun competitions, despite their focus on individual performers, ultimately depend upon team dynamics and mutual support structures within media organisations.

Bernama team leader Muhammad Syukri, despite the disappointment of finishing as runner-up, articulated a constructive perspective on his team's performance. Rather than treating the second-place finish as a setback, Syukri framed it as a catalyst for systematic improvement and preparation for future editions. He committed to comprehensive review of his team's weaknesses and outlined plans to strengthen strategic preparation going forward. This approach reflected the professionalism expected of media practitioners and demonstrated that engagement with traditional cultural forms fosters both competitive discipline and cultural continuity.

The HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival represents a significant initiative within Malaysia's broader effort to sustain classical Malay literary traditions within contemporary institutional contexts. By embedding pantun competition within the National Journalists' Day celebration, the Ministry of Communications and Bernama—both serving as organisational partners—have created an annual platform where media professionals engage with heritage arts. This integration serves multiple purposes: it cultivates appreciation for traditional forms among younger journalists, demonstrates that cultural preservation is compatible with professional media work, and establishes pantun as a marker of refined communication skills valued within the journalism industry.

The 2026 festival, organised under the theme 'Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility', created deliberate philosophical connections between pantun's historical role as a vehicle for truthful and meaningful expression and journalism's contemporary ethical obligations. Pantun, traditionally rooted in honest articulation of human experience and cultural values, aligns conceptually with journalism's fundamental commitment to accuracy, fairness, and transparency. By elevating pantun competition to a central element of HAWANA 2026, organisers affirmed that media integrity extends beyond institutional policies and professional codes to encompass deeper engagement with cultural traditions that have historically embodied principles of authenticity and responsible communication.

Looking forward, the competitive landscape among Malaysian media organisations appears set to intensify. With TV3 having established itself as the current champion and Bernama already positioned as a formidable challenger, both organisations are likely to invest further resources in identifying and developing pantun talent within their ranks. Other media outlets, witnessing the prominence afforded to the festival and the recognition garnered by winning teams, may similarly strengthen their competitive programmes. This emerging competitive culture around traditional art forms within professional media settings could stimulate broader interest in pantun across Malaysian society, particularly among younger generations who encounter the form through media coverage of these high-profile competitions.