Joniston presenting the overall best song award to Lyron Felix for his song “Hangadon Zou”.
KOTA KINABALU (July 11): The Kadazan language song, “Hangadon Zou” won its singer, Lyron Felix from Tambunan the SabahVfm 2025 Song Champion Award at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang last night.
Through the song, with lyrics created by Raymond KSTV Stephen and Pontius Otigil, and composed by Elvine Ng Nyuk Vui, Lyron took home RM6,000 in cash along with a trophy and certificate of appreciation.
The song was also chosen as the champion in the Kadazan Song category, winning RM4,000 plus a trophy and certificate of appreciation.
A total of 12 finalists competed in the SabahVfm 2025 Song Champion Award finals in four categories: Kadazan Song, Dusun Song, Bajau Song and Murut Song.
In the Dusun category, the song, “Boros Ginawo”, performed by artist Norzizi Safira Iddy from the Malaysian Information Department’s (JAPEN) Pentarama troupe, with lyrics and music by Marcolate Viola Marcus and Jairah Marcus, became the champion.
Meanwhile, the Bajau category was won by Mohd Rozaimi Rozali with his song “Selekat Hati”.
The duet of Syamson Tingkalur and Afiezal Fahmi Inggu won the Murut category with their song “Simpatataan”.
Three special awards were also presented at the event: the Best Lyrics Award, won by Norzizi Safira (“Boros Ginawo”); the Best Performance Award, won by Sitipah Jahamin; and the Best Vocal Award, won by Rozaimi.
In his speech, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the State Government consistently supports noble efforts aimed at promoting local arts, culture, and language such as the SabahVfm Songs Award.
“I am confident that with programmes like the SabahVfm, new talents will continue to be discovered and Sabah’s ethnic music industry will continue to shine,” he said.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk
Joniston Bangkuai.
Hajiji said the State Government is also committed to working with RTM Sabah and other agencies in the future to ensure that more high-impact programmes such as this can be implemented.
“We will continue striving to provide the necessary support so that the arts and culture industry in Sabah can continue to grow rapidly,” he said.
Hajiji said the SabahVfm Songs Award programme is also aligned with the State Government’s aspiration to see the local music industry continue to thrive.
The programme also reflected RTM Sabah’s commitment to engaging with the community and encouraging the production of high-quality new artistic works, he said.
“The SabahVfm Songs Award is very significant because it provides a platform for Sabah’s ethnic songs to be showcased not only at the state level, but also on the global stage through platforms such as the RTM Klik App and the Facebook pages of RTM Sabah and SabahVfm. This is a proactive step that should be emulated,” he said.
“Programmes like these offer opportunities for artists, particularly composers of ethnic songs, to develop their talents and works. I would like to emphasise that the State Government supports and encourages local artists to produce more new songs in Sabah’s ethnic languages.
“These ethnic songs and music are not merely compositions of melody and lyrics, they are also a reflection of the history and culture of the diverse communities in this state,” he said.
On this note, he said Sabah’s ethnic songs and music must continue to be supported by the public, especially the younger generation, to spark the spirit of uplifting and preserving the state’s ethnic music.
“I congratulate all the finalists who have made it to the final stage. Your presence here is a testament to your commitment and love for Sabah’s ethnic music. May this programme continue to be a catalyst for the advancement of ethnic music in Sabah,” he said.
Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Ruslan Muharam; the president of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; the vice president of the Sabah Bajau Samah Association, Datuk Japlin Akim; and the director of the Malaysian Broadcasting Department (RTM) Sabah, Mohd Yusni Mohamed Ali.
