Traditional Malay poetry such as pantun should be included as part of news content to enhance storytelling in modern journalism, according to the 2026 National Journalists’ Day (Hawana 2026) project director, Mohd Shukri Ishak.
He said this approach would allow journalists to explore more creative writing styles without compromising factual accuracy, in line with the evolving demands of the media industry.
Mohd Shukri, who also serves as deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said pantun could be used as a tool to deliver information in a more engaging way while broadening editorial expression in the digital era.
He added that the use of pantun in journalism could help elevate the status of the Malay language, while making news content more appealing and informative to readers and the public.
Speaking after the Hawana–DBP Pantun Festival 2026 briefing and ballot drawing event, he said the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to merge cultural heritage with modern media practices.
The Hawana–DBP Pantun Festival 2026 is scheduled to take place on May 9 at Panggung Sari, Jalan Conlay Craft Complex, ahead of the main Hawana 2026 celebration in June.
Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes, with the champion taking RM3,000, followed by RM2,000 for the runner-up and RM1,000 for third place, along with trophies and certificates for all top winners.
This year’s theme, “Journalism and Technology,” was chosen to reflect the rapid transformation of the media landscape as digital tools continue to reshape news reporting and dissemination.
Mohd Shukri said journalism today has shifted significantly from traditional methods, with technology now playing a central role in how news is produced and delivered.
He expressed hope that participants would use the theme to highlight meaningful perspectives on the challenges facing journalists, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Meanwhile, Hawana–DBP Pantun Festival chief judge Azimin Daud said the competition’s second edition reflects Bernama’s continued commitment to promoting pantun as an effective communication medium.
He said participants are expected to produce more refined and meaningful pantun that align closely with the competition theme.
Azimin, who is also a language planner at the DBP Academy, added that pantun can help cultivate more courteous language use among media practitioners while strengthening the role of the national language in modern journalism.
