PUTRAJAYA, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- A cash prize of RM1,000 for an Instagram photo depicting one’s love for Malaysia can be considered a good win. The cash, along with book vouchers, books, and merchandise, is what top winner Mohd Irman Bin Ismail received today at the prize-giving ceremony of Perdana Leadership Foundation’s Merdeka Photo Contest 2018, sponsored by DRB-HICOM. He was among the top twenty winners feted at the ceremony, and received his prize from PLF’s Executive Director, Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Nik Yaacob, and DRB-HICOM’s Head of Group Strategic Communications, Encik Mahmood Abdul Razak.
 
“We noticed that more and more Malaysians have turned to photographs to express themselves, and we thought a photo contest on the theme of patriotism would be a good way to challenge their creativity. We were certainly not disappointed by the number and quality of the entries. Based on the response, PLF intends to make next year’s Merdeka Photo contest bigger and better, and we hope DRB-HICOM will continue to support us,” said Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Nik Yaacob.
 
The second- and third-place winners, Mohd Samsi Bin Sumairi and Muhammad Syafiq Bin Zainal, received RM750 and RM500 in cash, respectively.
 
This year was the second year PLF organised the contest, and more than 700 Malaysians responded to the contest’s call for entries in August and September. Themed “Saya Sayang Malaysia”, the contest asked for creative depictions of patriotism and love for the country. “This contest is important as the definition of Merdeka has evolved. For older Malaysians, Merdeka had to be fought for. It was a struggle against colonisation and foreign domination. For younger Malaysians born after 1957, Merdeka carries with it a different meaning and evokes different emotions,” said Encik Mahmood Abdul Razak.
 
Each photo entry was evaluated for visual story-telling, photo composition, and caption creativity, by two professional photographers, Encik Che’ Ahmad Azhar Che’ Fadzil, one of Malaysia’s most influential street photographers who teaches at Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, and Encik Mat Zain Abdullah, a self-taught photographer who focuses on heritage buildings. Both judges were impressed by the quality of the entries. “More than half were above average.” Encik Che’ Ahmad Azhar said in his remarks at the prize-giving.
 
Perdana Leadership Foundation will organise the third Merdeka Photo Contest in 2019.
 
Click here for PLF Merdeka Photo Contest 2018 Prize-Giving Ceremony photos.
 
ABOUT PERDANA LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
www.perdana.org.my
 
The Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in 2003 to document, disseminate, research, and archive materials related to the past Prime Ministers of Malaysia, and nation-building. The Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia’s Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership. Our Honorary President is the fourth and current Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. To date, we have digitised more than 500k materials, half of which are available for free through our website www.perdana.org.my. Membership of our Perdana Library is free, and members also get to enjoy the library’s physical facilities located in a cosy enclave in Precinct 8, Putrajaya.
 
About DRB-HICOM BERHAD
www.drb-hicom.com
 
DRB-HICOM Berhad (“DRB-HICOM”) is one of Malaysia’s leading conglomerates with core businesses in the Automotive, Services, and Property sectors. With more than 70 active companies in its stable and over 56,000 employees group-wide, DRB-HICOM’s aim is to continue adding value and propelling the nation’s development. In the Automotive sector, DRB-HICOM is involved in the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles, including the national motorcycle. In Services, DRB-HICOM is involved in various businesses, including concession and financial-related services. In Property, DRB-HICOM is involved in the development of industrial properties.
 
SOURCE: Perdana Leadership Foundation
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mohammad Faridzuan Abd Rahman                      
Tel: 03-88858953                                                       
Email: faridzuan@perdana.org.my     
 
Name: Nurul Humaira Kamarulzaman
Tel: 03-88858960
Email: humaira@perdana.org.my
 
--BERNAMA