14 young talents to belt it out at ‘Bintang Kecil’ in Kuching this Saturday

KUCHING (Sept 19): The national-level ‘Bintang Kecil’ singing competition organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) returns this year with a new format.

RTM Sarawak director Wan Azhan Wan Hamat said this year’s participants will compete directly in the grand finals, without a semi-final round.

“Aside from bringing back some nostalgia, what’s new in 2024 is that we have decided to skip the semi-final stage. All zone and national representatives will go straight to the finals – this is the unique aspect of this year’s competition.

“We believe these young talents have already performed their best and excelled at the zone-level, and that there is no denying that the participants have been great and remarkable,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Fourteen participants will vie for the top prize in the grand final, taking place this Saturday at RTM Kuching’s P. Ramlee Auditorium.

The participants are Ahmad Dhani Muslim Mohd Nazri from Terengganu; Megat Muhammad Qalif Megat Shazrin from Kuala Lumpur; Nurfarina Farha Abdul Zahir from Selangor; Puteri Azalia Mohd Taufik from Perlis; Cinta Suci Indah Urmila from Johor; Nur Ayu Raudhah Mohd Khaimi from Negeri Sembilan; Mia Chantal Giwod Kinsuat and Hannah Jean Roney from Sabah; Fernandez Vianni Upplie, Mohammad Danish Rayyan Rahmad and Nur Qasih Umairah from Sarawak; Aliyah Salam Napitulupulu from Indonesia; Abdul Muqsith Abdul Hadie from Brunei; and Nur Adrianna Puteri Muhammad Irwan from Singapore.

The champion will walk away with a cash prize of RM20,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive RM15,000 and RM10,000, respectively. The consolation prize winners will each receive RM5,000.

Wan Azhan said the event, now in its 38th edition, will be broadcast live on TV2, Sarawak FM’s Facebook page, and on a big screen at the RTM Kuching compound, scheduled to begin at 9pm.

The grand final, hosted by Osha Basri and Bell Ngasri, will also feature performances by popular local artistes including the band Floor 88 and Aisha Retno.

To make it merrier, Wan Azhan said the ‘Berambeh’ activities will return to the event grounds, featuring a marketplace with food trucks offering a variety of food.

“Visitors can relax at the tables and chairs provided, enjoying the atmosphere while spending quality time with their families.

“This year, Berambeh will focus more on education because we want these young talents to remember the importance of education, even as they pursue singing. Their goal should be to enter university later on,” he said.

Adding on, Wan Azhan said attendees will stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes, including round-trip flight tickets from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur to Dubai, and Kuching to Kuala Lumpur to Shenzhen; as well as gold, clothing vouchers and more.