Sarawak’s ‘Little Bornean Birdie’ earns National Stars top-five honour

KUCHING (Aug 28): Young Sarawakian dancer Dion Das Louis has added another accolade to his growing list of achievements after being named one of the Top Five National Stars Achievers 2026/27 in the Traditional Dance category.

Better known as ‘The Little Bornean Birdie’, the rising dancer received the recognition during the National Stars Award 2026/27 Gala Award Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 22, where he also performed, showcasing Sarawak’s rich dance heritage.

For Dion, the recognition was more than a personal achievement — it was an opportunity to introduce Sarawak’s culture to a wider audience in Peninsular Malaysia.

“I was overwhelmed and grateful to be selected among the Top Five National Star Achievers. Being invited to perform during the gala was also a great opportunity for me to showcase Sarawak dance and culture,” he told The Borneo Post.

Dion, who has been actively performing and competing at national and international levels since 2022, was the sole Sarawakian recipient in the Traditional Dance category this year.

His performances draw inspiration from two iconic birds of Sarawak — the hornbill and the Great Argus (Burung Ruai) — expressed through ethnic contemporary dance infused with the spirit of the Iban Ngajat.

Held biennially, the National Stars Award recognises young talents across Malaysia for their achievements, dedication and active involvement in their respective fields.

To qualify, nominees must have secured first, second or third place, or received an official title, in at least three competitions within the same talent category between 2021 and 2026.

This year, 357 nominees vied for recognition, with 103 award recipients selected across 11 major categories.

Dion’s latest achievement follows his second-place finish at the Dance World Cup Malaysia Qualifier in March.

He was originally scheduled to represent Malaysia at the Dance World Cup World Finals in Ireland last July but withdrew due to concerns over the West Asia crisis and related safety and security considerations.

Despite the setback, Dion continues to pursue opportunities to introduce Sarawak’s cultural identity to new audiences.

He is scheduled to perform at Concert Carnival Sibujaya on Sept 5 before appearing at the Borneo Cultural Festival, where he will take the main stage during the festival’s closing night on Sept 12.

Dion expressed his appreciation to the National Stars Award committee and organisers, as well as his family, friends and supporters, for their encouragement throughout his journey.

He also thanked the Sarawak government and others who have supported his efforts to promote Sarawak’s culture through dance.

For Dion, each performance is not merely about competition, but an opportunity for audiences to discover the beauty of Sarawak through movement, music and tradition.