DiGi Announces Amazing Malaysians for 2007

DiGi Announces Amazing Malaysians for 2007

SHAH ALAM, 16 March 2007: DiGi announced its five new Amazing Malaysians for this year. Children from the previous year's projects were brought in especially for the event, impressing the audience with a Dikir Barat performance, a dance reflecting scenes from Penang's famous hawker centres, and a traditional Mah Meri dance from Carey Island.

CEO Morten Lundal spoke about the impact that these projects have had on the children who participated. "This journey of discovery is reflected among the children in the projects. It is as if they suddenly appreciate that their 'ordinary' hometown of Lunas or Penang is actually a heritage haven. This discovery awakens in them a new sense of pride. Pride in their unique heritage; pride in being Malaysian."

Lundal thanked the 10 Amazing Malaysians of previous years before announcing the new candidates for this year.

They are:

• The Treasures Keeper of Kuala Lumpur, Chen Voon Fee, who will unearth what he calls "heritage secrets of KL" to his students.
• The Jungle-Wallah of Langkawi, Irshad Mobarak, who will be sharing his passion for preserving Langkawi's habitats with children from the archipelago.
• The Rhythm Master of Negeri Sembilan, farmer Pak Saad Harun, who set up a troupe performing the randai, a complex dance originating in Sumatra. He will be teaching his students this dance.
• The Kristang Poet of Melaka, Joan Marbeck, a relentless crusader of the language and culture of the Portuguese in Melaka. She will be reviving interest in this Kristang culture among her young charges.
• The Culture Seeker of Sabah, Judeth John Baptist, who has devoted her life to seeking out little-known tribal communities and promoting their traditions. She will focus on the Bajau in this project with children from Semporna.