By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 29: First-time Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) attendee, Nur Farah Ain Kamshul, 29, from Kampung Samariang Batu, could not believe her luck when she was announced as the grand prize winner of a brand-new Proton X70 at the RWMF 2025 Skills Contest Prize Giving Ceremony held at Plaza Aurora here today.
“Honestly, at first I didn’t believe it. I was happy, but at the same time I asked myself, is this real?” said the admin executive when met after the ceremony, which coincidentally also fell on her birthday.
She shared that she joined the contest after spotting the festival announcement on Facebook. Her husband, who had just moved to Kuching from Sabah, agreed to attend RWMF with her.
“I wanted him to see our culture, so we went on the second day of the festival,” she added.
To qualify, she recorded a dance reel at several spots including Kuching International Airport (KIA).
“It was embarrassing, but I had the spirit to join the contest. I wore a traditional Bidayuh costume although I am Malay, and some foreign artists even thought I was Bidayuh.
“I then posted the video on Facebook and Instagram, mixing Sarawak traditional dances with trending moves inspired by Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq,” she explained.
Nur Farah, who currently shares two cars with her husband and mother, said this is her first car of her own.
“The savings I had set aside to buy a car can now be used for other things. Maybe we’ll drive to Sibu for a trip soon,” she added with a smile.
Meanwhile, pensioner Lau Hui Hua from Sarikei was announced the winner of the #MYRWMFTimeforPariswithMH contest, which invited participants to showcase Sarawak-inspired cultural fashion.
Lau captivated judges with an original creation that won him a pair of return flight tickets to Paris courtesy of Malaysia Airlines.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer, Sharzede Salleh Askor, said the contests were judged on creativity, authenticity and integration of Sarawak’s Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals (CANFF).
“The RWMF2025 Skills Contests extended the excitement of the festival far beyond June, showcasing creativity that reflects Sarawak’s diversity and innovation.
“With support from Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Proton, RWMF is more than just a festival—it is a global stage for connections, cultural pride and sustainability,” she said.
The ceremony also unveiled the theme for RWMF 2026 – “Regenerations: Roots & Rhythms”, which will take place from June 26 to 28 at Sarawak Cultural Village. – DayakDaily
