Mukah District Education Office wins BM parliamentary debate contest

SIBU (Sept 5): Mukah District Education Office (PPD) emerged champion in the 2024 state-level primary schools Bahasa Malaysia parliamentary-style debate competition held at SMK Rosli Dhoby here yesterday.

The second to fifth places went to PPD Kuching, PPD Padawan, PPD Sibu and PPD Daro, respectively.

PPD Mukah’s win was made sweeter with Qaseh Nur Hamna Qaleesya Ramli named ‘Best Debater’.

The competition attracted the participation of 14 teams from 13 districts.

Sibu District Education Office deputy officer Kong Chiong Hui, who graced the closing ceremony, said the competition is crucial to nurture leadership, talent, self-confidence and critical thinking skills among the students.

“As we know, Bahasa Malaysia is not just a means of daily communication but also a language of knowledge that plays a significant role in shaping the identity of our nation.

“Through this competition, we can witness how impressive the students are in arguing and presenting their views clearly and effectively, in line with the parliamentary tradition that values wisdom and decorum,” he said.

Meanwhile, SMK Rosli Dhoby principal Tan Kok Aun in his remarks said that elevating and upholding Bahasa Malaysia should not be disregarded or taken lightly.

“This competition is a significant achievement that we should be proud of, thanks to the hard work of all schools, teachers, coaches and debaters in particular.

“It requires a strong and unified commitment to raise the status of the language to its rightful place.”

Adding on, Tan said the competition has become an annual event eagerly anticipated by young debaters across Sarawak.

“Now that the in-person competition has been revived following the Covid-19 pandemic that affected the world, it has reignited the enthusiasm among the debaters.”