JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 2 – The Language Academy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), selected Zulaina Aked to represent UTM in the Folktale Storytelling Competition at the Higher Education Language Carnival (HELCA) 2026, following the university-level selection held under UTM HELCA 2026: Road to Gold.

The UTM-level competition was organised by the Language Academy as part of the UTM HELCA 2026 initiative led by Abid Razali Zulfadzli. The competition was managed by Azura Sirri, assisted by Dr. Nurhidayah Mohd Sharif.

Five UTM students submitted recorded performances featuring Malaysian indigenous languages and regional Malay varieties: Zulaina Aked (Temiar) with Bod Dekoh; Fakhrul Iman (Kelantan Malay) with Kisah Puteri Saadong; Olymina Peng Eseng (Iban) with Baka Kumang Nupi Sawa; Ay’zza Mohd Norzaini (Kelantan Malay) with Arnab dan Kura-Kura; and Melonnie Johnny Chung (Rungus) with Ih Tonsung om Ih Goholu.

The entries reflected Malaysia’s linguistic and cultural diversity, while highlighting storytelling as a medium for preserving community values, traditions and cultural knowledge. Following the evaluation, Zulaina emerged as the winner with her Temiar-language performance of Bod Dekoh.

Her performance stood out through its integration of language, storytelling and cultural representation. Filmed in a natural forest setting and complemented by traditional attire, it created an immersive atmosphere that strengthened the cultural context of the Temiar folktale. Her expressive delivery, use of voice and gestures, and connection with the natural surroundings brought the narrative to life while keeping Temiar identity at the heart of the story.

As the UTM-level winner, Zulaina was selected to represent the university in the national competition organised by Universiti Malaya on 22–23 October 2026. The competition featured individual recorded storytelling performances in Malaysian indigenous languages and Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM). It aimed to promote appreciation of linguistic diversity, preserve folktales as cultural heritage, develop expressive storytelling skills and strengthen intercultural understanding.

For the Malaysian Indigenous Languages category, participants could use Orang Asli languages such as Temiar and Semai, indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban and Rungus, and eligible regional varieties of Malay. Performances were evaluated based on story content and structure, creativity, cultural relevance and interpretation, and time management.

Through Bod Dekoh, Zulaina had the opportunity to showcase the Temiar language and its storytelling tradition on a national university platform, contributing to wider efforts to celebrate and preserve Malaysia’s indigenous linguistic and cultural heritage.

The Language Academy congratulates Zulaina on her achievement and thanks Fakhrul Iman, Olymina Peng Eseng, Ay’zza Mohd Norzaini and Melonnie Johnny Chung for their participation in showcasing Malaysia’s diverse languages and storytelling traditions. Their involvement highlights the role university students can play in ensuring local languages, folktales and cultural knowledge continue to be shared and appreciated by new generations.

Co-authors: Azura Sirri and Abid Zulfadhli Razali