Patriotic harmony filled the air at TAR UMT as the Grand Final of its National Day Singing Competition 2026 was held at TAR UMT Red Bricks Theatre on 20 August 2026. Designed to foster unity, cultural understanding, and a shared sense of belonging, the event showcased the vibrant talents of TAR UMT’s diverse student body.

The journey began with 31 enthusiastic contestants in the Preliminary Auditions. Open exclusively to local and international TAR UMT students, the competition served as an inclusive platform for youth from diverse backgrounds to express their appreciation for Malaysia through the universal language of music. Following an intense Semi-Final on 3 August 2026, the finest vocalists advanced to the Grand Final to perform on stage.

In his speech, TAR UMT President Professor Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei highlighted the deeper significance of the Merdeka month celebrations. He emphasised that Merdeka extends far beyond annual traditions or flying the Jalur Gemilang around campus; it represents a unifying spirit and national pride. "Music and songs possess a universal language. Through melody and voice, we transcend the boundaries of race, culture, and background. Music uniquely conveys and instils the message of independence into the hearts of all," he said.

The President further noted that the initiative aligns seamlessly with TAR UMT’s philosophy of Beyond Education, which prioritises holistic student development alongside academic excellence. By encouraging courage, dedication, and artistic expression, the competition reinforced the core values of harmony, national identity, and togetherness.

(from left to right) Amyra Safryna, Abbel Leowanday Moduying and I Qing.

The finalists took the chance to sing their hearts out with songs related to Merdeka, such as Sejahtera Malaysia, Standing in the Eyes of the World and Saya Anak Malaysia. Abbel Leowanday Moduying from Sabah and currently pursuing his Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours), came in first place. “Gemuruh is a song I grew up listening to, especially during Merdeka Month, and over the years, I realised that it is more than just a patriotic song; it is also about having the courage to chase our dreams and believing in what we can achieve. One of the lines in the song ‘Ungkapan ini bukan sekadar bermimpi, segalanya pastikan terbukti nanti’ is meaningful to me. It reminds me that dreams are not meant to stay in our thoughts. When I sang that part of the song, it felt like I was reminding myself to keep believing and also to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles I may face along the journey,” he reminisced.

As for First Runner-up Amyra Safryna binti Azman, pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English with Education, she took the chance to sing who sang ‘Bahtera Merdeka’ because it strongly represents patriotism and the spirit of independence, and the song is closely associated with her love for Malaysia.

As for Chan I Qing, a Bachelor of Banking and Finance (Honours) student, she won third place for her rendition of ‘Standing in the Eyes of the World’. “This song is a meaningful patriotic song, and I also wanted to challenge myself vocally to hit the high notes and have better vocal control. I did not think twice signing up for the competition as I saw it as an opportunity to improve my singing skills while performing a song that represents Malaysia,” she shared.

Besides the competition participants, TAR UMT Choir Voichestra added to the celebratory vibe by singing a number of traditional songs. In addition. Mr Julius Ang Sze Yen from the Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI) and one of the competition’s judges serenaded the audience with his singing of the Sejahtera Malaysia song.

As the echoes of patriotic melodies filled the theatre, the event stood as a testament to TAR UMT's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who appreciate Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. The celebration not only highlighted student talent but also reaffirmed the power of music in bridging communities and celebrating national harmony.

The finalists of the grand final.