By Nurhaifa Zakaria
GOMBAK, 16 November 2019: Saudagar Saujana, Galai Lingga, and Si Kancil appeared to be the champions for Puisi Drama Malaysian Student Category, Puisi Drama Nusantara Student Category and Bercerita International Student Category respectively in Bitara Bahasa competition held under Kecendekiaan Bahasa programme.
Kecendekiaan Bahasa programme which was organised by the Division of Bahasa Melayu, Centre of Languages and Pre-University Academic Development (CELPAD) in conjunction with National Language Month 2019 marked its end through an official closing ceremony which invited IIUM Deputy Rector (Student Affairs and Community Engagement), Prof. Dr. Zulkifli Hasan on Thursday (14 November 2019). The programme which commenced at the beginning of the semester aimed to cultivate love towards Bahasa Melayu among IIUM community.
One of the main highlights of the closing ceremony was Bitara Bahasa competition. There were three categories contested in the competition namely Puisi Drama Malaysian Student Category, Puisi Drama Nusantara Student Category and Bercerita International Student Category.
Asked to comment on the winning, the leader of the Saudagar Saujana group, Amirul Aiman said, œWe are thankful to Allah SWT for this winning and I also would like to thank to Madam Mascitah Binti Mansor and members of Saudagar Saujana who have given a full commitment even though each of us is busy with academic matters.
He added that this winning is just a starting and it elevates the spirit of him and his group to keep on working.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment about the competition, Asim and Abdul Ghafur, Syrian students who are also the first runner-up of Bercerita International Student Category mentioned that their challenge is certainly of the syllable in Bahasa Melayu which is difficult to pronounce.
However, they mentioned that they are still excited to join the competition as they found this competition is a good platform for them to learn Bahasa Melayu.
The award presentation to the contestants marked the closing of Kecendekiaan Bahasa Programme.
Listed below are the list of winners for three contested categories of Bitara Bahasa competition:
1. Puisi Drama Malaysian Student Category
¢ Champion: Saudagar Saujana Group
¢ First Runner – Up: Mutia Kasturi Group
¢ Second Runner – Up: Dayang Senandung Group
¢ Third Runner – Up: Tulang Kata Group
2. Puisi Drama Nusantara Student Category
¢ Champion: Galai Lingga Group
¢ First Runner – Up: Ambarowo Group
3. Bercerita International Student Category
¢ Champion: Group Si Kancil
¢ First Runner – Up: Group Si Tanggang
¢ Second Runner – Up: Group Kaduk
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