Saberkas unit holds Murai singing competition

June 17, 2015

Abdul Karim (third left) appreciating the singing birds kept inside the cages.

MIRI: Ahmad Saufi whose white-rumped shama bird competed in the Murai Batu Hitam category emerged as champion in the Sarawak Closed Murai Singing competition held at Kampung Ranchah-ranchah, Bekenu recently.

Another white-rumped shama owned by Hairie Akmal, which also took part in the competition, was second while Gregory Lim’s Murai Hitam bird took the third place.

Hairie Akmal’s bird also took the title of ‘Best of the Best Birds’.

The competition was organised by Saberkas Unit of Kampung Rancah-Rancah, Bekenu.

In the Murai Kampung category, the bird owned by Awang Abdul Hakim Awang Mahmud was declared as champion.

Nazri Mahli’s bird took second place while James Liew Vui Hing’s bird was third.

Others winners were Sela Sulaiman’s bird (fourth), Mohamad Raini Jini’s bird (fifth), Lan Rancah Rancah’s bird (sixth), Lan Rancah Rancah’s bird (seventh), Lee Tatau’s bird (eighth), Jolhan Lokman’s bird (ninth) and Awang Pengkalan’s bird in 10th place.

The Murai Batu Kepala Putih category saw Hairi Akmal’s bird declared as champion.

Wong Sie Lung’s bird took second place while Abg Nazri Anwar’s bird was third.

Other winners in this category were Wong Sie Lung’s (4th), Sajik Kahar’s bird (5th), Lan Rancah Rancah’s bird (6th), Mastura Mohd Rani’s bird (7th), Tuan Daus’ bird (8th), Aziz Tusin’s bird (9th) and Iswandi Noh’s bird (10th).

A total of 143 Murai birds took part in the competition featuring voices, styles, the longest chipping durations and their cages.

The white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus) Murai Batu is a small passerine bird of the Muscicapidae family.

Native to densely vegetated habitats in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, its popularity as a cage-bird and songster has led to it being introduced elsewhere.

Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at the competition.

Among others present were Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus and Saberkas Kampung Rancah-Rancah chairman Sharkawi Suhaili.

Abdul Karim, who spoke during the function, said the ministry would assist bird lovers here to organise more activities and programmes.