By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 2: Have you ever heard a Sarawakian folktale so captivating that it stayed with you long after it was told—a story passed down through generations, rich with meaning, culture and mystery?
Now is your chance to bring that story to life, with up to RM14,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.
The DayakDaily Writing Competition returns for its fourth edition, inviting Sarawakians to submit original, compelling stories under this year’s theme, “Sarawak’s Folktales.”
Following last year’s competition, which focused on Sarawak’s diverse homestay experiences, DayakDaily once again opens its platform to aspiring writers, storytellers and creatives who are passionate about preserving and sharing Sarawak’s heritage through words.
This year’s theme calls on participants to delve into the heart of Sarawak’s folktales—stories that shape identities, reflect beliefs, and define what makes Sarawak uniquely Sarawak.
Whether inspired by legends heard in childhood or tales still told in longhouses today, writers are encouraged to transform these narratives into engaging, well-crafted articles.
The competition is exclusively open to Sarawakians. Entries must be written in English, be original, and never previously published on any news portal, website or social media platform.
Each submission must be no more than 800 words and accompanied by at least one (1) original photograph, with a maximum of two (2) photographs. The total file size for all submitted documents must not exceed 1GB.
Please refer to this LINK for further information on the rules and regulations as well as the judging criteria. Article entries can be submitted HERE.
The prizes for each category are listed as follows:
Adult Category (19-years-old and above)
| Ranking | Cash Prizes | Add-Ons |
| Gold | RM 3,500 | 3D2N voucher at Imperial Hotel, Kuching
Trophy and Certificate |
| Silver | RM 2,500 | Trophy and Certificate |
| Bronze | RM 1,500 | Trophy and Certificate |
| Consolation x 2 | RM 500 x 2 | Trophy and Certificate x 2 |
| Shortlisted x 5 | – | Certificate x 5 |
Youth Category (12 to 18-years-old)
| Ranking | Cash Prizes | Add-Ons |
| Gold | RM 2,500 | 3D2N voucher at Imperial Hotel, Kuching
Trophy and Certificate |
| Silver | RM 1,500 | Trophy and Certificate |
| Bronze | RM 1,000 | Trophy and Certificate |
| Consolation x 2 | RM 200 x 2 | Trophy and Certificate x 2 |
| Shortlisted x 5 | – | Certificate x 5 |
All winning articles will also be published on DayakDaily.com and DayakDaily’s other social media platforms.
Entries will be accepted from January 2, 2026, until April 2, 2026, with submissions closing at 11.59pm on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Late entries will not be accepted or entertained.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your unforgettable Sarawakian folktale and make your story heard.
For further inquiries, email editor.dayakdaily@gmail.com, contact Mdm Marlynda (016-809 1184) or Ms Yvonne (016-858 5346). — DayakDaily
