Kuala lumpur: Student participation in the 24 Festive Drums continues to grow, with 14,399 participants recorded across 352 schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE) as of 2025, says Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wong stated that the traditional performance, founded in Johor Bahru in 1988, is expanding rapidly in team numbers, overall participation, and performance quality, with 68,781 individuals involved since its inception 38 years ago. He emphasized that this growth demonstrates the flourishing of the art form through collective efforts and highlighted its significance as a heritage belonging to all Malaysians.

Wong clarified at a press conference, held in conjunction with the national-level 24 Festive Drums Elite Competition 2026 at the Educity Sports Complex, that the 24 Festive Drums originated in Johor Bahru - co-founded by Tan Chai Puan and the late Tan Hooi Song - and not in China as commonly assumed. The art form has spread nationwide and gained international prominence.

The national-level competition involved 46 teams comprising 1,220 drummers across six zones - North, Sabah, South, Central, East Coast, and Sarawak - with the top 10 teams advancing to the finals. Wong highlighted the art form's growing cross-cultural appeal, noting the increasing participation among other ethnic groups, with examples such as SMJK St. Anthony in the Sarawak zone featuring a team where over 70 percent of the drummers were Malay and Iban.

On a related note, Wong disclosed that the 24 Festive Drums Association submitted an application in March this year for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, with a decision expected by late 2028. He added that increased participation, systematic data collection, coach training, and MOE's official inclusion of the art form as an annual school activity this year would bolster Malaysia's bid for UNESCO recognition.