Sarawak sibling duo shines at global music competition in Thailand
KUCHING (May 23): Sarawak sibling duo SJ Borneo earned international acclaim by clinching the Gold 2nd Runner-up title at the 2025 World Championship International Competition Grand Finals held in Bangkok, Thailand from May 9 to 12.
Representing Malaysia, 15-year-old Shawn Thien Shuen and 12-year-old Jane Thien Jing stood out among 178 acts from 25 countries, drawing praise for a performance that blended modern flair and traditional elements while highlighting Sarawak's indigenous cultural heritage.
Their award-winning piece was a rearrangement of the classic Malay song 'Anak Kampung', performed in both Malay and Chinese.
The performance featured traditional Sarawak attire and musical instruments – Shawn on the djembe and Jane on the sape.
Held before a crowd of over 500 spectators, SJ Borneo's act received unanimous praise from the panel of international judges.
'This competition gave us the opportunity to stand on the world stage representing Sarawak and Malaysia, and to share our culture through music.
'Sarawak's heritage is unique and precious. We want the world to hear, see, and treasure it,' the duo said in a statement.
Participants from countries including Australia, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Russia, the United States, and more took part in the international-level event.
SJ Borneo's performance, showcasing the soulful tones of the sape and tribal rhythms of Borneo, positioned the pair as young cultural ambassadors for Sarawak.
The duo credited their success to support from the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, under the Dana Mudahcara Facilitation Fund.
'We are deeply grateful to the ministry for the support through Dana Mudahcara, which helped make this journey possible,' they said.
The Kuching siblings also extended heartfelt thanks to their teachers and educational institutions for continued encouragement and guidance.
Shawn currently studies at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, while Jane attends SJKC Chung Hua No. 3.
They thanked their principals Bong Nyuk Siong and Lee Chee Beng along with a number of educators and mentors, for providing stage opportunities and musical guidance.
They also acknowledged the inspiration of sape pioneers including Dines Ngau Wan, Hallan Hashim, Alena Murang, and Mathew Ngau Jau, whose contributions have inspired their journey.
Looking ahead, the pair is committed to promoting traditional Sarawak music with their motto, 'Sape for All'.
The duo aims to explore new ways to preserve and evolve cultural heritage through performance.
Their journey and latest updates can be followed on their official Facebook page: SJ Borneo – Shawn & Jane.
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