By Farah Ashari
GOMBAK, 7 March 2018: IIUM became the first university to win the debate competition in Malay category when IIUM debate team B came out victorious in the final after beating Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
This year was the first time the competition has opened for the Malay category and the event was held at UPM Serdang for three days from 3 to 5 March 2018. This event was organised by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and participated by 40 teams and 120 participants.
Director of Oratory IIUM World Debate and Oratory Centre (IWON), Madam Aliza Alias said, “They were the junior team debaters which made it special.” She expressed her happiness because “the investment that has been provided by the university, and the involvement of the club and students, including time and money spent, are worth it”.
IIUM had beaten Universiti Putra Malaysia with the motion Kebebasan Media Menyuburkan Demokrasi, representing the opposition. The team consisted of three members, Abdul Rahman Zakaria, 21, Nur Azmina Izzati Aini Azman, 20, and Mohammad Omar Suharuddin, 21, all of them were from the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL).
Subsequently, the great achievement can be seen from first-year student Mohammad Omar bin Suharuddin winning award for the best final speaker.
One of the debaters Abdul Rahman Zakaria said, “We never expected to reach this far, however, with the support from the coaches and club members, especially Kelab Debat Bahasa Melayu, including their hardworking and effort that they put in, has led us to become the winner.”
He said: “Also, not to forget the quotes that have boosted our spirit in this journey was from our coach who said that ‘hard work never betrays you’, and this was one of the secrets of team’s success.”
The second place was won by Universiti Putra Malaysia while the third place was shared by Universiti Malaya and Institusi Perguruan Kampus Bahasa Melayu. ***