Television station TV3 has secured back-to-back victories in the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival, cementing its dominance in Malaysia's premier competition celebrating the traditional Malay art form. The championship was decided at an event held in conjunction with National Journalists' Day 2026 festivities, underscoring the cultural significance these celebrations hold within Malaysia's media landscape. The triumph carries particular weight as it demonstrates sustained excellence in preserving and performing pantun, a poetic tradition that remains central to Malaysian cultural identity even as entertainment consumption patterns shift dramatically across digital platforms.

TV3's winning team comprised Mohammad Nor Affiq Norshamsudin, Mohd Safwan Sawi, Azrin Md Isa, and Mohamed Hirsham Azmi. The group's ability to retain the title they first captured during the competition's inaugural year in 2025 reflects both rigorous preparation and deep understanding of pantun's nuanced requirements. Pantun, with its intricate rhyme schemes and layers of meaning embedded within seemingly simple four-line verses, demands performers who can deliver not merely accurate recitation but genuine emotional resonance and interpretative depth.

The presentation ceremony at PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena attracted prominent figures from Malaysia's political and media establishment. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally handed over the prizes, signalling the federal government's commitment to preserving traditional arts even within increasingly modernised, tech-focused society. The attendance of Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai reflected the cross-sector importance attached to supporting cultural continuity.

Financially, TV3's victory translated into RM3,000 in prize money alongside a trophy and participation certificates. Runner-up Bernama received RM2,000, also receiving trophies and official recognition. Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Berita Harian completed the podium in third and fourth positions respectively, among eight competing teams. The prize structure, while modest in absolute terms, carries symbolic value in acknowledging excellence in traditional performance within Malaysia's competitive media environment.

The festival incorporated recognition beyond team victory. Muhammad Syukri Khairulannuar from Bernama received the Best Pantun Performer award, validating individual artistry within the team competition framework. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) claimed the Best Attire Award, reflecting pantun's deep connections to Islamic and Malay cultural traditions. These categories broaden the competition's scope beyond mere technical proficiency, celebrating comprehensive cultural engagement.

The competition itself involved 32 participants competing on May 9 at Panggung Sari in Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, serving as a curtain-raiser for the broader HAWANA 2026 celebrations. This sequencing positioned the pantun festival as a cultural foundation for the larger National Journalists' Day observance, underlining how traditional arts complement contemporary professional recognition within Malaysia's media community. The timing and venue selection within a traditional crafts complex reinforced thematic coherence around cultural preservation.

Mohammad Nor Affiq, leading TV3's champion team, acknowledged the emotional dimensions of defending a title. He candidly discussed the initial apprehension of assuming leadership responsibility, revealing how mentorship from TV3 host Ahmad Fedtri Yahya provided crucial encouragement and guidance. This personal narrative illustrates how Malaysian media figures understand cultural work as collective endeavour requiring both individual courage and communal support. His gratitude extended beyond teammates to family members and supporters, reflecting pantun's integration within broader social networks rather than existing as isolated professional accomplishment.

Bernama's team leader Muhammad Syukri articulated the runner-up position as foundation for future advancement rather than settling for second place. His commitment to systematic review of weaknesses and deliberate strengthening of preparations signals competitive cultures within Malaysia's major news organisations around traditional performance arts. This determination suggests the pantun festival has evolved beyond ceremonial obligation into genuine competitive arena where professional pride and cultural commitment intertwine meaningfully.

HAWANA 2026 operates under the theme "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility," positioning the celebration within broader conversations about journalistic standards and public trust. Organised by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as implementing agency, the event functions as Malaysia's largest gathering of media practitioners. The integration of traditional performance arts—specifically pantun—within this professional celebration sends clear messaging that cultural continuity remains inseparable from modern journalism's credibility and legitimacy.

For Malaysian readers and Southeast Asian observers, the TV3 victory holds significance extending beyond entertainment reporting. It demonstrates how traditional cultural forms maintain active presence within contemporary professional settings, resisting marginalisation despite technological disruption to conventional media. The high-level political attendance and public recognition suggest government commitment to cultural preservation as strategic priority. For journalists and media professionals across the region, the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival models how organisations can meaningfully engage with heritage arts while maintaining competitive excellence and professional standards that audiences expect.

The back-to-back championship positions TV3 as custodian of pantun excellence within Malaysia's media sector, carrying responsibility for elevating public appreciation of this traditional form. As younger Malaysians increasingly consume entertainment through digital platforms and international content, competitions like the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival provide vital platforms for demonstrating pantun's continued vitality and contemporary relevance. The involvement of major news organisations competing earnestly suggests these institutions understand cultural stewardship as integral to their broader social responsibilities beyond daily news production.