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         Fiesta Bahasa (Malay Language Festival) commemorates its tenth anniversary since its inception in 2015 with a special celebration under the theme Mencetus Pemikiran, Meneraju Perubahan (Sparking Thought, Leading Change), which seeks to emphasise the Malay Language's vital role as a catalyst for critical thinking and creative expression in the digital era. Guest-of-Honour, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC and Chairman of the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC), graced the celebration at Anjung, Wisma Geylang Serai today.

2 To mark the 10th year since its inception, this year's Fiesta Bahasa introduced the Pertandingan Cipta Kata (Word Creation Competition), which saw the participation of more than 130 students from 66 primary and secondary schools. The on-site competition aims to kindle students' enthusiasm for learning the Malay language and enhance their vocabulary and spelling skills by challenging them to form Malay words in a letter grid.

3 More than 550 students from 595 primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute also took part in the inaugural Peraduan Menulis Cerpen Orang Singapura ('Orang Singapura' Short Story Writing Competition) as part of Fiesta Bahasa 2025. 30 students emerged as winners of the competition, which required them to create short stories based on the themes of selected songs by renowned local music composer, the late Mr Zubir Said. Dr Syed Harun presented prizes to the winners. See Annex for the list of winners.

4 At the event, 350 members of the public and students came together to set a new Singapore Book of Records for the largest number of people participating in a traditional Malay mass dance. The participants sang and danced to 'Orang Singapura', a song composed by the late Mr Zubir Said. Two animated mascots, Arif and Suri, which respectively symbolises a learned person that contributed to society (Arif Budiman) and an individual with exemplary conduct (Suri Teladan), were also launched as the festival's language ambassadors.

About Fiesta Bahasa

5 Organised by the MLLPC, Fiesta Bahasa aims to empower the younger generation to use the Malay language confidently through creative expression and presentation, and to instil in them the joy of learning the Malay language through innovative platforms. To promote students' creative engagement with the Malay language, participants also took part in various hands-on activities at the interactive learning booths by preschools, primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and the National Library Board.

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