KUCHING: Kuching’s Got Talent (KGT) 2025 returns as a key highlight of the Kuching Festival, marking its 11th edition with a record number of entries and renewed enthusiasm from the community.
This year, the annual talent showcase has attracted over 220 participants across four categories, reinforcing its role as one of the city’s most cherished platforms for youth expression and cultural celebration.
“Kuching’s Got Talent is more than just a performance stage; it’s a celebration of our city’s diversity, talent, and community pride.
“Every year, we are inspired by the energy and creativity of our participants, and 2025 is no exception,” said Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
This year’s competition received 160 entries, comprising approximately 220 participants: 39 in Singing (12 years and below), 65 in Singing (13 years and above), 29 dance groups, and 27 acts under Other Talents, which include martial arts, acrobatics, and drumming.
Auditions were held on July 5 and 6 at the MBKS Auditorium, where contestants delivered passionate and often emotional performances.
Ultimately, only 61 participants were shortlisted for the semi-finals: 20 in the junior singing category, 25 in the senior category, and 16 dance groups.
The semi-finals will take place on August 9 at the Kuching Festival Stage from 6 pm to 11 pm, followed by the Grand Finale on August 10, from 6 pm to 9 pm, featuring the top 35 finalists: 10 from each singing category, 10 dance groups, and five acts from the Other Talents category.
Winners in each category will be awarded both cash prizes and trophies, with the prize structure reflecting the growing prestige of the competition.
For the Singing (12 years and below) category, the Champion will receive RM1,500, the 1st Runner-Up RM1,000, the 2nd Runner-Up RM500, and seven consolation prizes of RM100 each.
In the Singing (13 years and above) category, the Champion will walk away with RM3,000, the 1st Runner-Up with RM2,000, the 2nd Runner-Up with RM800, and there will be seven RM100 consolation prizes.
The Dancing category offers the same high-tier rewards as the senior singing category: RM3,000 for the Champion, RM2,000 for the 1st Runner-Up, RM1,000 for the 2nd Runner-Up, and seven RM100 consolation prizes.
The Other Talents category, featuring diverse performances from martial arts to instrumental acts, will award RM2,000 to the Champion, RM1,500 to the 1st Runner-Up, RM800 to the 2nd Runner-Up, and RM100 to each of the seven consolation recipients.
The competition continues to be made possible through strong public-private collaboration. Sports Toto, a long-time partner of the Kuching Festival, has once again stepped up with a RM40,000 sponsorship.
“We are deeply grateful to Sports Toto for their unwavering support over the past three decades.
“Their contribution is not just financial — it is an investment in our young generation, in our culture, and in the spirit of Kuching,” Wee said.
