By Hjh Saemah Zulkefli
The initiative to integrate the art of ‘gulintangan‘ into the school curriculum 13 years ago has proven to be a proactive step towards strengthening the Malay culture and providing youths with the opportunity to study and understand its heritage.
This was stated by Awang Haji Mohamad bin Haji Abd Rahman, Belait District Officer and guest of honour, at the 13th Gulintangan Competition finals between schools and colleges nationwide held at the multipurpose hall of Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa‘adatul Bolkiah Secondary School in Lumut, Belait.
The guest of honour also highlighted the importance of non-academic extra curricular activities within the school curriculum.
The competition was one of the yearly projects organised by the Co-Curriculum Department of the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the public schools and colleges.
Meanwhile, in a speech by Awang Abd Khalid bin Haji Mahmood, Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa‘adatul Bolkiah Secondary School Principal cum chairperson of the competition, 21 schools and colleges across the country have participated in the competition. Ten finalists were selected on June 28.
During the competition, each team performed two musical pieces on the gulintangan, one of which was a compulsory piece - an old traditional melody that represented the Malay heritage.
Emerging as the gulingtangan champion at yesterday‘s event was Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah with a total of 88.25 per cent.
Second place went to Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School, Kampong Salambigar with a total of 80.75 per cent, followed by Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School, Tutong in third position with a total of 80.25 per cent.
Also participating in the competition was Princess Khaliilah Khaliilatul Bulqiah, representing Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begwan Sultan.
Prince Abdul Fattaah attended the event.
The event also saw the presentation of prizes by the guest of honour.
Source: www.brunei-online.com (6 Agustus 2007)