Good response to Curtin Sarawak’s inaugural inter-school English debate and oratory competition

Miri – 20 May 2014 – The recent 2-day Inter-school English Debate and Oratory competition jointly organised by the Curtin Young Associates (CYA) and Curtin Oratory and Debating Society (CODES) of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) saw a huge response from secondary schools in Sarawak.

A total of 11 debate teams and 14 speakers from secondary schools in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Betong took part. Representing Miri were students from Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, SMK Pujut, SMK Baru, SMK Lutong and SMK Luar Bandar. The other participating schools were SMK Methodist Sibu, SMK Batu Lintang, Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Betong representing Sibu Kuching and Betong respectively.

The preliminary rounds for both the debate and oratory competitions were conducted on the first day. During the final round of debate, Team B of Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah comprising Joshua Chew Thian Hee, Muhd. Rahiman Abd. Manap and Azeem Abadi Muhd. Shukri (the ‘government’) was pitted against Team A of SMK Batu Lintang (the ‘opposition’) comprising Abel Gerald Law, Lim Tai Jie and Mohd Azrai Zain Ariffin.

With the motion ‘THW (This House Would) disallow corporations from owning media entities and instead pursue a free market for journalism’ and on a 4-3 split, Team A of SMK Batu Lintang emerged champion and walked away with RM3,000 cash prize, individual trophies, a school trophy and certificate of participation.

The Final Best Speaker award went to the ‘Prime Minister’ from Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, Joshua Chew, while Lim Tai Jie from Team A of SMK Batu Lintang was declared the Overall Best Speaker. Each received a RM300 cash prize and a trophy.

For the oratory round, Noratikah Abdul Rahman from Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah grabbed the first prize, followed by first runner-up Amanda Dina anak Michael Nangkai from SMK Lutong and second runner-up Siti Nurfatihah Aidel, also from Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah.

Noratikah, Amanda and Siti Nurfatihah received RM2,500, RM1,000 and RM500 cash prizes respectively, as well as trophies and certificates of participation.

The prizes were presented by guest of honour Miri District Education Officer Norani @ Rosnani binti Hj. Yunus at the closing ceremony, which was also attended by Curtin Sarawak’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Yudi Samyudia, Acting Student Recruitment Manager Klaus Sim and CYA Coordinator Norsari John.

In her closing speech, Norani commended Curtin Sarawak for organising the competition, saying such events bring out the best in potential leaders among young people

“Competitions like this not only encourage our secondary school students to take a keen interest in debating and public speaking, they also serve as platforms for networking and the exchange of ideas between the students of the participating schools,” said Norani.

The CYA is a youth outreach programme administered by the Student Recruitment Department of Curtin Sarawak and coordinated by students of the university. CODES is one of the most successful and active student clubs at Curtin Sarawak. For further information on both clubs, contact Norsari John at 085-443 929 or 019-855 4332 or e-mail norsari.j@curtin.edu.my.

Team B of Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Team A of SMK Batu Lintang in the final round of debate.

Amanda Dina of SMK Lutong in the final round of the oratory competition.

Norani (3rd left) and Professor Samyudia (4th left) posing with debate champion Team A of SMK Batu Lintang.

Winner of the oratory competition Noratikah Abdul Rahman posing with her prizes as Sim (left), Norani and Professor Samyudia look on.

The participants and invited guests posing for a group photo at the end of the event.