Television station TV3 has successfully defended its pantun championship crown at the HAWANA-DBP 2026 Pantun Festival, reaffirming its dominance in the traditional Malaysian verse-recitation art form. The victory came as part of the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena in Penang, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) finishing as runner-up in what has become one of Malaysia's most competitive cultural competitions among media organisations.

The TV3 team, composed of Mohammad Nor Affiq Norshamsudin, Mohd Safwan Sawi, Azrin Md Isa, and Mohamed Hirsham Azmi, claimed their second consecutive title in the festival's history, demonstrating the station's sustained commitment to preserving and celebrating the traditional art of pantun recitation. This back-to-back victory underscores not only the quality of individual performers but also the rigorous preparation and cultural dedication that the broadcasting organisation has invested in the competition since its inception.

The moment proved particularly significant given the distinguished audience present at the award ceremony. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally presented the prizes, alongside Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. The high-level attendance reflects the government's recognition of the importance of preserving traditional Malaysian cultural forms, particularly within the professional media sector, where such artistic traditions have become increasingly integral to national identity.

For their championship performance, TV3 secured RM3,000 in prize money alongside a trophy and participation certificates. Bernama's strong runner-up finish earned the news agency RM2,000, together with its own trophy and official recognition. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) secured third place in the competition, while Berita Harian rounded out the top four positions among eight teams that participated in the festival.

Beyond team honours, individual excellence was also recognised during the ceremony. Muhammad Syukri Khairulannuar of Bernama claimed the Best Pantun Performer award, acknowledging his outstanding vocal delivery and artistic interpretation despite his team's overall runner-up status. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) team distinguished itself by winning the Best Attire Award, highlighting the cultural and religious dimensions that often characterise pantun performances in Malaysia.

The competition itself attracted substantial participation, with a total of 32 competitors representing the various media organisations and government agencies that fielded teams. The festival preliminaries took place on May 9 at Panggung Sari, Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, serving as an important curtain-raiser event for the broader HAWANA 2026 celebrations. The choice of venue underscored the connection between Malaysia's traditional crafts and cultural expressions, positioning pantun within the broader ecosystem of national heritage.

Speaking after the victory, TV3 team leader Mohammad Nor Affiq reflected on the emotional weight of defending the title and acknowledged the pivotal role of mentorship in driving the team's success. He credited TV3 host Ahmad Fedtri Yahya with providing crucial encouragement that transformed initial nervousness into competitive determination. Such behind-the-scenes support structures within broadcasting organisations illustrate how cultural competitions at this level operate as extensions of professional development and institutional pride.

Mohammad Nor Affiq expressed gratitude to his teammates, family members, and supporters whose collective encouragement enabled the team to retain their championship status. His remarks highlighted the collaborative nature of competitive pantun recitation, where individual skill must harmonise with ensemble cohesion and mutual reinforcement. The acknowledgment of family and broader support networks also reflects how such competitions carry significance beyond the professional sphere, intersecting with personal and community identities.

Bernama team leader Muhammad Syukri adopted a forward-looking perspective despite the runner-up finish, framing the result as motivation for future participation. He indicated that the news agency would conduct thorough reviews of performance gaps and intensify preparatory efforts ahead of the next edition. His commitment to learning from the current competition and systematically addressing identified weaknesses demonstrates the competitive seriousness with which Malaysia's leading media organisations approach this festival.

The HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival operates within the broader context of HAWANA 2026, themed "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility." This thematic framework positions pantun recitation not merely as entertainment or cultural nostalgia but as an active component of media professionalism and institutional credibility. By organising such competitions, the Ministry of Communications, working through Bernama as implementing agency, sends a signal that cultural authenticity and artistic excellence remain intertwined with journalistic responsibility in Malaysia.

The festival itself represents Malaysia's largest gathering of media practitioners, serving as an annual occasion to recognise the contributions and professionalism that journalists bring to national development. In this context, pantun competitions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they preserve a traditional art form, celebrate professional community, build institutional identity among competing organisations, and reinforce connections between media work and broader cultural values. For Malaysian viewers and readers, such events demonstrate how traditional forms continue evolving and finding contemporary expression within modern professional environments, rather than remaining confined to heritage museums or academic study.

The retention of the title by TV3, combined with Bernama's competitive second-place finish, suggests a healthy ecosystem of media organisations that take cultural competitions seriously while maintaining genuine competitive spirit. As these organisations prepare for future editions, they will likely continue investing in talent identification, performance coaching, and the kind of systematic preparation that distinguishes championship-level performances in pantun recitation across Malaysia's broadcasting and news sectors.