KUCHING: A cold and persistent cough did not stop Adzharye Johari from the Sarawak State Attorney-General’s Chambers from clinching the top spot at the State-Level Poetry Recitation Competition (Public Servants Category) held at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak on Friday.
“Alhamdulillah, I’m very grateful. Even though I wasn’t feeling well, I managed to deliver my poem with sincerity,” said Adzharye, who hails from Limbang, after receiving his award.
He explained that the poem he recited centred around love and loyalty to one’s homeland, a reflection of the deep emotional connection Malaysians share with their roots.
“The poem speaks about our affection for our ancestral land and the heartbreak of seeing it destroyed. It’s what I call a romantic struggle – a love letter to our heritage,” he said.
Because he was down with a cold, Adzharye chose a piece that was meaningful but not too demanding, allowing him to focus on emotion and clarity rather than vocal intensity.
“I picked something that I could relate to deeply, so I could express every line with genuine feeling,” he added.
Balancing his professional duties with competition preparation was not easy, but Adzharye made use of every spare moment.
“I practised in the car, at the office and before bed. Even when I was coughing, I pushed through – once you’ve committed, you give it your all,” he stressed.
This is his third or fourth win since he began competing in poetry recitation six years ago.
For Adzharye, the competition is more than just an artistic platform; it is a way for civil servants to keep the nation’s literary spirit alive.
“Poetry reminds us of who we are. Even as public officers, it connects us to our identity and culture,” he said.
Organised by DBP Sarawak, the competition aims to promote the beauty of Bahasa Melayu and foster creativity among government officers statewide.
