KUCHING: Mawat never expected Dayang Bintang to become a hit when he recorded it in about two hours.
Now, the song has won the first Best Borneo Song award at the Anugerah Industri Muzik 2025 (AIM25).
The 24-year-old singer, whose full name is Gibrael Mawat Clement Saran, received the award from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg alongside Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here last night (Sept 26).
“This has opened people’s eyes to how far Sarawakians can go with the art we create, whether traditional or modern,” he told reporters after the ceremony.
Mawat, who is from Sri Aman and now lives in Kuching, said he had not expected the song to be nominated, much less win.
He was also caught off guard when the Premier presented him with the award.
Inspired by an old tale, Dayang Bintang tells of a princess-like figure whom Mawat praises through song.
Its mix of traditional Iban elements, modern sounds and catchy lyrics helped it reach listeners across generations.
Mawat hopes the win will take his music further, with collaborations planned with artists from Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia.
AIM25 was held in Kuching for the first time, with Best Borneo Song among two new categories introduced for its 25th edition.
Mawat hopes the award will remain so that more artists from Sabah and Sarawak can gain national recognition.
“There are many more artists in Borneo who were not nominated this time, and I hope this category will be retained,” he said.
