TWO civil servants and a 47-year-old woman from Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas, emerged as the top three winners in the first edition of a crossword puzzle contest.
The contest was jointly organised by Buletin Mutiara and the Penang State Museum Board.
It was part of the ongoing ‘Dari Gabenor ke Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT)’ exhibition.
The two civil servants, Ajirah Md Asraf, and Nurkhadijah Baharudin are both Penang Heritage Commissioners. Ajirah emerged as the winner, while Nurkhadijah Baharudin grabbed the third prize.
Meanwhile, 47-year-old Soon Hoe Boon bagged the second position.
In a brief interview at Buletin Mutiara’s office, Ajirah said she was delighted to have won the crossword puzzle contest.
“I am a big fan of Buletin Mutiara. I saw the contest when I was following the news on Buletin Mutiara Facebook page.
“I decided to take part and I did not expect to win.
“It is a good initiative by the state’s publication alongside Penang State Museum Board to organise such a competition.
“I look forward to more of such competitions in future,” she said.
Second-prize winner Soon Hoe Boon, who could not make it to receive the prize money, was represented by her mother.
Her mother, who declined to be named, said Soon was excited after learning that she had won second.
“The prize money could help since the Chinese New Year celebration is just next month,” the mother said.
Nurkhadijah was initially speechless after knowing she had won third place.
“The contest and exhibition are a great platform for the participants to know more about Penang, as well as the previous and the current Governors.
“I hope to try my luck again in the next edition,” she said.
State information officer Christopher Tan was present to congratulate the winners and lauded the cooperation between the Penang State Museum Board and Buletin Mutiara.
Penang State Museum Board Education and Research unit head Mohd Danial Kadir said the crossword puzzle competition was very interactive.
“We receive an overwhelming response from the public and the tie-breaker to decide the winners was the slogan challenge,” he said.
The champion received RM300 while the second and third-prize winners took home RM200 and RM100 respectively.
Also present was Penang State Museum Board assistant Alif Hilmi.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian