By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 16: After submitting more than 20 entries over the years, Nurjehan Salleh from Kampung Bukit Berangan, Kota Samarahan, has emerged as the grand prize winner of the MAGGI Jom Masak & Menang Bersama Gawai campaign.
The 40-year-old walked away with a limited-edition Ford Ranger XL featuring a bespoke design inspired by Sarawak’s local motifs after emerging as the campaign’s champion at the grand finale held at Vivacity Megamall here today.
For Nurjehan, the win came after years of participating in MAGGI contests, with her previous prizes including vouchers and e-wallet credits.
“Alhamdulillah. I am grateful to Allah for winning this MAGGI contest,” she told reporters after the finale.
Nurjehan, who works as a civil servant, estimated that she had submitted more than 20 or 30 entries over the years, adding that she would send in an entry whenever she purchased MAGGI products.
She said she was a fan of MAGGI Kari (noodles) and MAGGI CukupRasa (food seasoning), which she regularly bought for use at home.
For the grand finale, Nurjehan prepared fried rice with tepus and terung asam, accompanied by tepus and terung asam sambal made using MAGGI paste.
She admitted that she became nervous after discovering terung asam was the secret ingredient, despite it being a familiar ingredient in her household.
“Terung asam is actually one of my mother’s favourites, so we often cook it at home. It’s just that I had never cooked it in front of such a large crowd, so I was nervous,” she said with a laugh.
Nurjehan said she had also prepared for the finale by reading up on MAGGI through its website and learning more about Sarawak cuisine, particularly food and traditions associated with Gawai.
Asked what she planned to do with her grand prize, Nurjehan said she hoped to take her mother and family on a trip.
The annual Gawai campaign saw MAGGI celebrate Sarawak’s food, traditions and sense of togetherness, while encouraging younger generations to reconnect with their culinary heritage.
MAGGI Malaysia and Singapore Business Executive Officer Ivy Tan Link Cheh said the brand continued to support Gawai because of its strong connection with family, food and community.
“MAGGI shows up for Gawai every year because it is a celebration deeply rooted in family, food and community — all the things that bring Sarawakians together,” she said.
Throughout this year’s campaign, MAGGI worked with cultural and culinary advocates, including Karen R. Yap in Sarawak and Chef Melvin Gatu in Sabah, to encourage young cooks to embrace flavours, stories and cooking knowledge passed down through generations.
The campaign also reached cultural celebrations across East Malaysia, including Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan in Tambunan and Papar, Pesta Rakit in Kampung Simpok and Tematu EthnoFest, as well as the Borneo Native Festival in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, MAGGI contributed RM15,000 to Helping Hands Penan’s Education Sponsorship Programme to support 55 Penan students.
The contribution will fund three months of monthly education sponsorships for the students, covering essential needs such as transportation, school supplies, accommodation and living expenses.
Helping Hands Penan Director Violette Tan said the contribution would help ease financial pressures on families while enabling Penan students to continue their education.
She said the programme, which has supported students from primary school to university since 2010, had also helped nurture graduates who returned to their communities as professionals.
MAGGI said its Gawai campaign also formed part of its wider #SayaDanMAGGI initiative, which celebrates everyday moments shared around food across generations.
“Gawai comes once a year, but Me and MAGGI So Good Together is something we experience every day,” Ivy said.
In a statement, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri said MAGGI’s efforts to empower women through its nationwide Program Wanita Cukup Berani initiative were also meaningful in Sarawak.
She said the initiative provided women with practical platforms to build confidence, develop skills and pursue growth opportunities.
Throughout its Gawai campaign, MAGGI® also worked with cultural advocates including Karen R. Yap in Sarawak and Chef Melvin Gatu in Sabah, bringing its message to cultural celebrations such as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, Pesta Rakit and the Tematu EthnoFest.
Also present at the event was Mohammed Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie, Political Secretary to Nancy Shukri, who represented the minister. — DayakDaily
