Miri to host magpie singing competition Nov 5

MIRI: The International Miri City Magpie Sounds and Style 2017 competition on Nov 5 aims to showcase bird owners’ skills in training birds.

Organised by Kelab Pekicau Miri, a club for bird-singing enthusiasts, the bird singing contest to be held at Petronas Sports Village seeks exciting talents from across Sarawak as well as neighbouring countries Brunei and Indonesia.

Its deputy chairman Aloysius Richard Ellai said apart from strengthening relationship among bird owners, the competition also serves as a platform to remind participants on the importance of preserving the environment.

“Through this competition, we hope to be able to introduce the art of magpie sounds, which is said to be able to calm anyone who listens to it. It also aims to emphasise the importance of safeguarding and preserving Borneo’s forests and heritage, including the magpies, from extinction in line with our club mission,” he told The Borneo Post after a meeting with Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Miri mayor Adam Yii at Miri City Council building here on Monday.

The competition will be divided into four magpie categories of Murai Batu Kepala Hitam, Murai Batu Kepala Putih, Murai Kampung and Pleci.

The participants will be judged by experts from Indonesia and the judging criteria include the magpie sounds, styles and durability.

“We are targeting more than 300 participants from Sarawak and neighbouring countries,” said Aloysius.

The top three winners in Murai Batu Kepala Hitam category will receive a cash prize of RM1, 000, RM500 and RM300 respectively.

In the Murai Batu Kepala Putih and Murai Kampung categories, the first prize winner will receive a cash prize of RM700, while the first and second runners-up will bring home RM400 and RM200 respectively.

As for the Pleci category, the champion, first and second runners-up will receive RM200, RM150 and RM100 respectively.

All winners will each receive a certificate of participation and a trophy.

There will also be a ‘ Best of The Best’ award for the overall winner.

Registration is RM40 per person for the Murai Batu Kepala Hitam, Murai Batu Kepala Putih, Murai Kampung categories. The registration fee for those interested to take part in the Pleci category is RM15 per person.

Closing date for registration is Nov 1.

For entry requirements and other information on the competition, contact Aloysius on 016- 5257120.