TV3 has successfully retained its pantun championship title at the HAWANA-DBP 2026 Pantun Festival, cementing the network's dominance in the competitive traditional verse-recitation discipline that has become a highlight of Malaysia's media community celebrations. The victory saw the broadcaster's squad outperform rivals from across the journalism and broadcasting sector in a contest that pairs contemporary media practitioners with one of Malaysia's most cherished cultural traditions. Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency, secured the runner-up position in what proved to be a closely contested affair among the participating teams.

The championship represents TV3's second consecutive triumph in this festival format, a distinction the team was clearly determined to achieve given the competitive landscape of Malaysia's media organisations. The successful squad comprised Mohammad Nor Affiq Norshamsudin, Mohd Safwan Sawi, Azrin Md Isa, and Mohamed Hirsham Azmi, each contributing their expertise in the classical art form. Their continued excellence in pantun—a form of Malay poetry deeply rooted in regional culture—demonstrates how broadcast media professionals have embraced this artistic discipline as part of their professional identity and competitive spirit.

The prestige surrounding this event was substantially elevated by the participation of high-ranking government officials in the awards presentation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim personally presented the prizes to winning teams at the main HAWANA 2026 ceremony held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena, lending considerable weight to the occasion. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai were also present, underscoring the importance attached to celebrating journalistic excellence and cultural preservation within Malaysia's media landscape.

The financial rewards and recognition reflected the competitive stature of the festival. TV3's championship victory translated into RM3,000 in prize money along with a trophy and participation certificates for team members. Bernama's strong second-place showing earned the news agency RM2,000 in cash alongside similar trophies and credentials. Radio Televisyen Malaysia secured third position, while Berita Harian rounded out the top four among eight total participating teams, demonstrating the breadth of participation from Malaysia's major media organisations.

Individual accolades further highlighted the calibre of performances displayed throughout the competition. Muhammad Syukri Khairulannuar, competing for Bernama, earned recognition as the Best Pantun Performer, validating his technical skill and artistic interpretation in the demanding discipline. Meanwhile, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia's team claimed the Best Attire Award, reflecting the event's appreciation for traditional dress and cultural presentation standards that accompany authentic pantun performance.

The actual competition took place on May 9 at Panggung Sari, Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, serving as one of several curtain-raiser events building anticipation toward the broader HAWANA 2026 celebrations scheduled in June. A total of 32 individual participants engaged in the festival's various categories and team formations, indicating sustained enthusiasm among Malaysia's media workforce for this culturally significant competition. The scale of participation suggests that pantun recitation has found genuine resonance within newsrooms and broadcast facilities across the country.

TV3's team leader Mohammad Nor Affiq reflected on the significance of their achievement during post-victory interviews, acknowledging both the responsibility and reward of defending their status as champions. He disclosed that initially he had questioned whether he possessed the capability to lead the team toward such an ambitious goal, concerns that were ultimately dispelled through encouragement from Ahmad Fedtri Yahya, a respected TV3 broadcaster and his personal mentor. This dynamic illustrates how competitive cultural pursuits within media organisations foster mentorship relationships and professional development beyond traditional newsroom functions.

Affiq's gratitude extended across the entire support network that enabled TV3's success, recognising contributions from fellow team members, family connections, and the broader supporters who sustained motivation throughout their preparation period. His comments emphasised how team-based competitive pursuits can strengthen organisational bonds and create shared pride within a workplace. The retention of a title, he suggested, required not merely individual skill but cohesive teamwork and sustained dedication from supporting figures whose roles often remain unheralded.

Bernama's team leadership responded to their runner-up status with determination to pursue championship ambitions in future editions. Muhammad Syukri, the agency's team leader, explicitly framed the second-place finish as a catalyst for enhanced preparation rather than a source of disappointment. He committed to conducting thorough analysis of their performance, identifying specific technical and strategic weaknesses that could be addressed through more intensive training regimens in advance of subsequent competitions. This growth mindset from one of Malaysia's premier news organisations signals that the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival has evolved into a fixture taken seriously by competing media institutions.

The broader context for this festival reflects current priorities within Malaysia's media sector and government communications strategy. HAWANA 2026, which translates to Hari Wartawan Nasional or National Journalists' Day, carries the thematic emphasis of 'Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility', a message that carries particular resonance amid global concerns about information reliability and trust in journalism. By organising this festival in conjunction with pantun competition, the Ministry of Communications and Bernama are effectively linking cultural preservation, professional recognition, and institutional values around responsible reporting.

The HAWANA grand finale functions as Malaysia's most significant annual gathering of media practitioners, providing a platform for acknowledging contributions by journalists and broadcasters to national development and public understanding. The festival format—combining competitive cultural performance with formal recognition of professional achievements—offers a distinctive approach to celebrating the journalism profession compared to awards ceremonies in other regional jurisdictions. This integration of traditional art forms within professional celebration reflects Malaysia's distinctive media culture where contemporary broadcasting institutions maintain engagement with classical Malay cultural expressions.

For Southeast Asian media observers, the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival demonstrates how professional communities can maintain connections to heritage traditions while operating within modern broadcasting and digital information environments. The participation of major organisations like TV3, Bernama, and RTM alongside government agencies indicates that pantun recitation remains valued across diverse institutional contexts. As Malaysia's media sector continues evolving through technological disruption and changing audience consumption patterns, maintaining these cultural touchstones through organised competition appears to serve both nostalgic and identity-reinforcing functions for practitioners navigating rapid industry transformation.