24/10/2025

LYFE FRIDAY | OCT 24, 2025

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M’sian musician bags fifth place at Chopin competition o Pianist shares spot with Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz

Y OUNG Malaysian musician Vincent Ong achieved a remarkable feat by securing fifth place at the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, which concluded earlier this week in Warsaw, Poland. According to the official results published on the competition’s website, Ong shared the fifth spot with Poland’s own Piotr Alexewicz, marking an outstanding finish for Malaysia at one of the world’s most prestigious piano events.

After more than six decades of dedication to the entertainment industry, veteran film personality Datuk Rahim Razali harbours a wish to direct one last film before bidding farewell to his career. An admirer of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, Rahim, 86, draws inspiration from the cinematic icon to keep creating despite his advancing age. “I’m a big fan of Akira... he made his last film at 82. Who knows, maybe I can still make one more film. “If possible, I’d like to make a feature film. The story has long been in my heart... it just hasn’t been put down on paper yet,” he said during an appreciation session for national veteran filmmakers held as part of the Tribute: Recognition of National Veteran Film Personalities programme in conjunction with the 34th Malaysian Film Festival recently. The event, organised by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, also featured renowned actress and director Datuk Rosnani Jamil, with television personality Ahmad Fedtri Yahya as moderator. Rahim revealed he has received invitations and held preliminary discussions with several parties about returning to directing, although no final decision has been made so far. “The desire is still there, but I have to be realistic. Physically, I’m not as strong and my memory isn’t what it used to be. I’m healthy, but my energy isn’t the same as before,” said the former accountant. In addition to being a director, Rahim is also an accomplished actor, screenwriter and producer. He was once a sports commentator, having covered five Olympic Games and six World Cup tournaments for RTM. Rahim’s film career began in 1959, and his notable directorial works, Abang, Pemburu’ Matinya Seorang Patriot and Tsu Feh Sofiah , established him as one of Malaysia’s finest filmmakers. For Rahim, Abang , released in the early 1980s, remains his most sentimental work as it marked his debut as a writer and director, paving the way for a new chapter in his filmmaking career. Rahim said Abang was created to portray the rise of a new generation of Malays who were bold enough to face economic and modern challenges while holding firmly to family values as the foundation of their community. “The film carries the message that (the) Malay identity is no longer confined to civil servants or soldiers but has evolved to include entrepreneurs and professionals. I’m proud that this message remains relevant today,” he said. Abang , which starred Rahim alongside Noorkumalasari, Datuk Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar, Fauziah Ahmad Daud and the late Datuk S. Roomai Noor, won the Best Script and Best Actor awards at the Second Malaysian Film Festival (FFM2). Sharing his insight on what makes a good director and writer, Rahim, who won the Best Director award at FFM5 and FFM6, emphasised the importance of passion, knowledge and sincerity in creating meaningful work and advised against making films in haste. – Bernama Rahim Razali hopes to direct one more film Rahim (right) has dedicated six decades to the local film industry. – PIC FROM BERNAMA

in second place. Zitong Wang from China placed third, while Shiori Kuwahara of Japan and Tianyao Lyu of China shared fourth place. Ong was selected as one of the 11 finalists from a total of 642 applicants from 28 countries vied for a spot in this prestigious event. After a rigorous selection process, 171 participants advanced to the preliminary rounds, with only 11 finalists, including Ong, securing a place in the final stage. The finalists represent a diverse range of countries, including China, Japan, the US, Canada, Poland, Georgia and Malaysia. The 24-year-old from Penang has gained significant attention, with nearly 140,000 views on the official Chopin Institute YouTube channel. Audience members have expressed their admiration in the comments section, with one viewer praising the performance as “beautiful soulful piano music,” and another commenting, “What a wonderful and beautiful performance! Bravo!” Held every five years since 1927, the Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the classical music world and often serves as a launching pad for young pianists’ international careers. – Bernama

Held

at

the

Warsaw

National

Philharmonic the competition brought together 11 of the world’s finest finalists, each performing masterworks by Fryderyk Chopin, including Polonaise-Fantaisie (Op. 61) , accompanied by the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra. Eric Lu from the US emerged as the winner, followed by Kevin Chen of Canada Concert Hall,

Ong hails from Penang. – PICS FROM CHOPIN COMPETITION

Kelantan performers to stage Raja Kubang Labu at DBP Auditorium

A total of 42 Kelantan-born performers will stage the theatrical production Raja Kubang Labu in the capital today and tomorrow in a bid to promote traditional Kelantanese arts and culture on the national stage. Pertubuhan Seni Rupa Jiwa deputy chairman Nik Ahmad Farhan Nik Azim said the free performance at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Auditorium in Kuala Lumpur will feature a contemporary blend of acting, music and dance. “This is more than entertainment. It’s a reflection of identity and heritage, retelling history and tradition through a fresh, modern lens,” he said. Raja Kubang Labu will mark its third staging, following performances at Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian in 2023 and Prince of Songkla University in Thailand last year. “The work by Sabri Mohd Zain drew nearly 6,000 spectators over two nights. That response convinced us it’s ready for a national platform,” he said. Nik Ahmad Farhan added that the original script, written by Zakaria Sabri Muhammad in 1954, is one of the earliest examples of Malay theatre, rich in folklore and moral values. “Centred on a classic tale of power, love and betrayal, the reimagined production explores a king’s inner conflict, torn between authority, humanity, vengeance and redemption,” he said. The cast features emerging talents such as Hafiz Mustaffar, Nik Nur Shuhada and

A total of 42 Kelantan-born performers will stage the production. – PIC FROM TICKET2U

Tourism, Arts and Culture, DBP and the Kelantan State Department of Culture and Arts, as part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s performing arts ecosystem. “We’re targeting over 700 attendees across the two nights,” said Nik Ahmad Farhan. Free tickets are available via Ticket2u’s website. – Bernama

Uda Ahmad, alongside veteran actress Datuk Fauziah Nawi. Presented in an experimental format, the production relies solely on the physical expressions, without props or technical aids, to enhance authenticity and raw emotional depth. The project is supported by the Cultural Sector Support Grant under the Ministry of