Willy grabs triple win at Fikon 7 grand finale
BINTULU: Willy Lenggang Tawan emerged winner of the Final Concert 7 (Fikon), staged on the civic centre here on Sunday night.
He beat six other finalists in the grand finale to walk away with the RM2,000 prize money.
Placing first runner-up was Princess Padili, who bagged RM1,500 cash.
Mohd Khashidan Ibrahim, Fatimah Anggot and Centhia Lengatha Pawi took third to fifth spot, respectively, pocketing RM1,000, RM500 and RM500, respectively.
Each of the top five contenders also received a trophy and certificate.
The fifth and sixth runners-up were Mohd Shahrizal Suhaili and Mohd Fitri Mohd Rosland, who were given trophies.
Sarawak Arts Council ( MSS) chief executive officer Sharkawi Amit presented the prizes.
There were also five awards presented that night.
The ‘ Best Performers for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Showcase’ were Wan Mohd Zharfan Wan Ismail, Fatimah and Princess respectively each of them received RM200, a trophy and a certificate.
Princess also clinched the Best Vocal Award, which earned her another RM500.
Overall winner Willy also grabbed the ‘ Best Costume’ and ‘Best Performance’ awards, which earned him another RM600.
Mohd Fitri Mohd Rosland was named the ‘ Most Committed Contestant’, and he was given RM300.
Twenty- four contestants were selected for Stage 1, and were shortlisted to 13 in Stage 2.
The finale hosted the top seven from the lot.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports ( KPKKBS) Bintulu officer Jacqualine Richard Lee, KPKKBS Sibu officer Sibli Yusif Bajai and MSS Northern Zone manager Tuah Jili were among those present.
It was announced during a press conference earlier that Fikon – a popular local singing contest – would be rebranded as Fikon Sarawak next year.
In this regard, Sharkawi said Fikon had been an established event over the past seven years throughout which it had unearthed many talented singers and entertainers.
He hoped with the rebranding, more Sarawakians would have their chance to enter the local entertainment industry which in turn, would flourish with more local talents.
“In Bintulu, Fikon has produced a number of artistes encouraged the development of the entertainment industry in Sarawak,” he said, adding that its success prompted the ministry to rebrand the programme into Fikon Sarawak, which would be held in Kuching next year.
Fikon has always been run by the MSS under KPKKBS, in collaboration with Bintulu Resident’s Office, Kumpulan Sri Budaya Bintulu and Bintulu Arts Activist.