KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 16, 2026 – Two Sabahan artistes, Ryenald Guntabid and Marsha Milan, secured notable achievements on the stage of the 40th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL40) which was held at Unifi Arena on the night of Aug 15.
Ryenald staged a surprise with his song “Lumangad Oku Dika”, successfully steering it to third place, thereby taking home a trophy and RM30,000 in cash.
The Tambunan-born singer delivered a performance that emphasised vocal strength and emotional depth. Behind him, a line-up of Sabahan singers including Fanzi Ruji and Elica Paujin, alongside his two younger siblings Noel and Eylia, provided vocal backing.
Marsha, meanwhile, reaffirmed her status as one of the country’s finest female vocalists. She was crowned Best Vocalist for her song “Tangisan Seorang Pendosa”. The award earned her a trophy and RM12,000 in cash.
The song, composed by Marsha with lyrics by Hazama, is steeped in emotion. It invites listeners to explore the inner journey of a sinful soul burdened by deep regret.
The success of both singers proves that artistic talent from the Land Below the Wind continues to shine on the national stage. Ryenald boldly elevated Sabah’s cultural identity through the Dusun language, while Marsha remained supreme with her vocal mastery.
Their achievements carry on the proud tradition of Sabahan singers who have previously made their mark at the national level. This further cements Sabah’s position as one of the country’s key breeding grounds for musical talent.
