Donovond is Tamparuli Sabah Idol

JAHID presenting the championship trophy and cash prizes to
Donovand while the organizers Peter DK Lee and Minah Hong looks on.

A 20 year old Diploma holder in Early Childhood Education, Donovond Andreey Damianus was announced the champion of Tamparuli Sabah Idol after he entertained the crowd with an astounding performance singing Lady Gaga’s “You & I” during the event held at Dewan Belia in Tamparuli recently. 

He won a cash prize of RM1,000, a trophy and a certificate. 

First runner-up was 19 year old Syarina Wati Molin singing a vocal-stretching Malay song “Mengapa”. 

She brought home RM500, a trophy and a certificate. 

Second runner-up was Awang Kamaldin Husain. After 3 outings Awang Kamaldin finally brought home RM300, a trophy and a certificate and much respect from the judges for his polished performance.

In 4th place was Slyvestion Anderson Satur 28, a Diploma holder in Hotel Management and Tourism while 5th place went to Sheryl Josh with a delightful Hetty Koes Endang number “Demi Cinta Niyeh”.

She also won the Best Costume award and brought home RM100, a trophy and a certificate. 

In 6th place was Noel Adventus Nipah 20, who won the hearts of many in the crowd especially the girls with his boyish good looks.

Most Popular award with a cash prize of RM100, a trophy and a certificate went to 18 year old Nur Zawani Aminudin.

Best Showmanship award was won by Night Kelana Kandari 33 while 24 year old Mohd Rifanzie Ruji got the Most Creative award.

Both this awards carry a cash prize of RM100 a trophy and a certificate.

The Tamparuli Sabah Idol finals held last Sunday (21 October) saw 22 contestants tried to beat each other to earn the right to be crowned Tamparuli Sabah Idol and to represent the district at the Sabah Grand Finals to be held mid-December at 1Borneo.

The standard of the competition was so high and so intense that organizer and chief judge Peter Dicky Lee and his panel of jury had a mammoth task in their hands choosing the top 2 to represent the district.

The judges comprising of “Dangdut” queen Juraidah Gaus, Arnez Hamidi from RTM, recording artiste Rozza Rothman and AF3 star Felix Agus appealed to the organizer to increase the quota from 2 representative to 5. 

Even Guest of Honour Datuk Jahid Jahim overwhelmed with awe and pride at the amazing talents in a rare and unprecedented move, took the microphone and publicly appealed to Peter for 5 slots for Tamparuli to the delight and thunderous applause from the packed audience.

It was indeed a day full of excitement, drama and suspense. 

In the end with great fanfare and suspense, Peter announced “Tamparuli got not 2, not 5 but 6 representatives to go to the Grand Finals” to loud cheers and applause from the appreciative crowd including YB Datuk Jahid who immediately shook Peter’s hand and thanked him.

JAHID flanked by the organizers and judges (front row)
with the finalists seen at the background..

SYARINA and Awang Kamaldin (first and second runner ups, respectively)

TOP 6 winners with Jahid and the organizers, Peter and Mina Hong.