KUCHING: Sarawakian sibling duo SJ Borneo has earned national recognition after being named among the Top 5 National Stars Award Holders 2026/27 in the Talent – Traditional Music Instruments category.
Siblings Shawn Thien and Jane Thien received the recognition during the National Stars Award 2026/27 Gala Award Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Aug 22).
The achievement marks another milestone for the young musicians, who have been promoting Sarawak’s traditional music through performances featuring the sape’ and djembe alongside contemporary musical elements.
“We are truly honoured to have the opportunity to bring Sarawak’s traditional sape’ music to a wider audience and to let more people discover, appreciate and understand our cultural heritage,” they said.
The National Stars Award, or Anugerah Bintang Negara, is held once every two years to recognise young talents for their achievements, dedication and continued involvement in their respective fields.
For the 2026 edition, 357 nominees competed for recognition, with 103 award holders eventually selected across 11 major categories.
SJ Borneo emerged among the Top 5 in the Traditional Music Instruments category.
Under the award’s nomination criteria, nominees are required to have secured first, second or third placing, or held an official title, in at least three competitions within the same talent category between 2021 and 2026, with international and national-level achievements given particular consideration.
For Shawn and Jane, the latest recognition follows years of involvement in music competitions, cultural exchange programmes and performances.
They have used the sape’, djembe, vocals and other musical elements to introduce Sarawak’s traditional music to different audiences, while also taking part in local and international competitions and cultural exchange programmes.
The siblings said they hoped to continue developing their musical abilities while encouraging greater appreciation of Sarawak’s traditional music, particularly among younger generations.
They believe traditional instruments such as the sape’ can be preserved while continuing to evolve through contemporary performances and international cultural exchanges.
“We hope our music can help more people discover Sarawak and inspire more young people to appreciate our traditional music.
“Traditional music can be vibrant, creative and relevant, and we hope to bring it to bigger stages in the future,” they said.
SJ Borneo also thanked the National Stars Award Committee, organisers, family members, teachers, mentors, friends and others who have supported their musical journey.
The siblings said the recognition has strengthened their commitment to bringing Sarawak’s traditional music and cultural heritage to wider audiences in Malaysia and beyond.
