By P. Chandra Sagaran
Deputy Education Minister Yb Wong Kah Woh who was attending the first 24 Festive Drum National competition at Stadium Indera Mulia on August 8 had fond memories as he stepped into being a YB for the first time.
It was at the same venue he was announced as the state assemblyman for Canning in the 12th General Election on March 8, 2008.
He served as the wakil rakyat until 2018 before being elected as the Taiping MP in the 15th General Election in 2022 and subsequently appointed as the Deputy Education Minister.
“It is a historic day for me today (Aug 8) as the venue is the place where I was declared as the winner and start my journey.
“The event is more meaningful as it is the first time such a large gathering of drummers from primary schools nationwide are participating in the 24 festive drum competition,” he added.
A total of 417 pupils from 16 teams across 13 schools and Federal Territories took part in the one day event.
It was organised by the Education Ministry’s Sports, Co-curriculum and Art Division, Persatuan Gendang 24 Perayaan Malaysia with the support of the main sponsor Yayasan Sime Darby.
Present were the division’s Director Ithnin Mahadi,Perak State Assembly Deputy Speaker Jenny Choi Tsi Jen, Yayasan Sime Darby Governance Board member Puan Sri Normah Hashim, Bank Negara Board of Directors, Founder, Executive Chairman and CEO of Kumpulan Symphony House Berhad Tan Sri Mohamed Azman Yahya, Chairman of Persatuan Gendang 24 Perayaan Malaysia and Co Founder of Gendang 24 Perayaan and other officials.
The event gauges the stages of artistic development in schools and the spirit of the younger generation to continue the local cultural heritage. Some 2,400 people attended the event which gave an opportunity to the public to witness and know the art and culture of the country from closely.
An exhibition was also held on the retrospective of 24 Gendang, culture and other activities. SJK (C) Hwa Lian 1, Pulau Pangkor emerged overall champion with the title ” Jiwa Cilik Dambakan Kedamaian” and lifted the Tan Hooi Song Trophy.
The late Hooi Song had contributed significantly to the development of cultural education in schools. The school also grabbed three other awards, “Konsep Dan Kreativiti Terunggul”, ” Gubahan Muzik Terunggul” and “Formasi Terunggul”.