Merdeka Haiku Contest Finalists Selected!

Thanks to all who submitted their creative haikus for the Merdeka Haiku contest. Unfortunately some had to be disqualified for not sticking to the 17-syllable limit -BawangMerah & JustinKCYap, next time count properly :P

Some weren't really about Malaysia and so couldn't really qualify. And some did not stick to the one haiku per person rule, but since this is the first contest I will bend the rules a little and pick just one out of your multiple entries. But only this time!

I've picked the three finalists, and here they are in random order:

(1) On Merdeka Day
I run naked at Padang
Agong chasing me
- by Hedonistics Anonymous

(2) Always the mamak,
Where all the races gather,
Kin-oblivious.
- by Xaph

(3) Come sing AP Birthday,
On Merdeka Day,
Flag up and shout hooray!
- by S-kay

It wasn't easy picking these three, but after a lot of thought, I decided that these were reflective of life in Malaysia although really, the first one isn't. But it's quite funny (IMHO) so I included it. It's MY contest so there! To those who didn't make the finals, don't lose heart. I enjoyed reading all your haikus, and who knows, I might just run another haiku contest in the near future, so keep practising!

Now I'm leaving it to you guys to select the winning haiku. Please vote for your favourite and remember, one person, one vote, and no voting for your own haiku. To reduce the likelihood of cheating, anonymous votes will not be counted, so please include a nick and a link to your blog, or a valid email address when you vote.

You can vote from now until 11.59pm (Malaysian time, GMT+8) on Tuesday, 30 August 2005.

Till next time, this is Kucing Gatal signing out with a 17-syllable Meow.