SGM Coorganises the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the “Tong Chuang Award” – A Platform Nurturing Humanistic Qualities in Youth

On 3 January 2026, the fifth TongChuang Award, which also marked the 10th anniversary of its founding, was held at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (WKSGM). This event was coorganised by the TongChuang Cultural Foundation, SGM and the Taiping Hua Lian Alumni (KL and Selangor). This is the first activity celebrating the start of WKSGM’s 25th-anniversary celebrations due later this year. 

The celebration featured a calligraphy and painting exhibition by Venerable Chi Chern, lectures and an award concert. This diverse programme brought together luminaries from the worlds of Chinese literature and music to witness a decade of achievements in fostering humanistic values through campus-based creative work.

A Dialogue Between Literature and Music

Renowned writer and academic Prof Chong Yee-Voon, who is from Malaysia and based in Taiwan, delivered a keynote speech titled “The World Is an Artichoke: The Mutual Journey of Reading and Writing.” She noted that reading is akin to peeling back the layers of an artichoke to reveal new perspectives. She suggested that rereading the same book at different stages of life yields fresh insights, and thus encouraged the audience to engage deeply with classic literature.

Through the contrasting literary worlds of writers Eileen Chang and Wang Zengqi, she illustrated that writing is a vital way of observing one’s inner self. She emphasised that creators should maintain a sense of wonder and curiosity towards life, concluding that while thinking is the foundation of writing, active reading is what leads to deeper contemplation.

A second session was moderated by veteran musician Chow Kam Leong, featuring songwriters Keon Chia Kah Won and Lim Yi Qian. They shared their musical journeys, creative motivations, and the challenge of balancing dreams with reality. Keon Chia, a mainstream music specialist, revealed he submitted over 100 songs before selling his first, urging young creators to persevere. Independent musician Lim Yi Qian encouraged them to remain curious, think flexibly, and never hesitate to seek guidance from mentors.

Star-Studded Awards Concert

The evening’s award concert commenced with a performance by singer Elaine Lee, followed by addresses from TongChuang Award co-chairperson Puah YouLai and SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai.

Mr Puah expressed that the support from various sectors has emboldened the team to continue nurturing the next generation of creators. Mr Koh then highlighted SGM’s commitment to collaborating with like-minded organisations to build a society rich in humanism, healthy culture and creativity, further brightening the future of Malaysia’s arts field.

The ceremony saw the announcement of the fifth TongChuang Award top honours, with Venerable Chi Chern and celebrated singer-actress Angelica Lee Sinje among the guest presenters. This was followed by an immersive musical showcase featuring Chow Kam Leong, Keon Chia, Lim Yi Qian and the award winners.

Notably, Venerable Chi Chern, Chow Kam Leong and Puah YouLai were classmates. The trio previously collaborated with SGM at the same venue in 2015 to discuss their “60 years of life.” A decade later, they have renewed this bond with SGM. The Tong Chuang Award was launched a year after that initial talk, aiming to encourage campus creativity and promote Chinese culture through the fusion of literature and music.

Reported by Ting Cheau Ya, photographed by Jeffery Lum