By, Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim, Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal and Salsabeel Norazam
Victory after victory, title after title in this semester, IWON Pagoh has proven that excellence isn’t a coincidence, it comes from endless training and trials. From interkulliyyah level, to the national level and international Arabic championships, our debaters have turned words into power, arguments into art, and tournaments into triumphs.
History in the Making: EDC Pagoh Clinches First-Ever English Debate Championship
For the first time in history, the English Debating and Public Speaking Club (EDC) of IIUM Pagoh Campus has claimed the championship title in an English-language debate, marking a proud milestone in the campus’s growing debating legacy. The victory took place at the Interkuliyyah Economic Debate 2025, held at KENMS Lecture Theatre 1, IIUM Gombak, where participants from various kulliyyahs gathered to discuss and debate pressing global economic issues.
The winning pair was from IIUM Pagoh B which was teamed up by Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal (ACOM Graduating Student) and Sr. Nureen Maisarah Binti Pahrul Raji (TMGT Graduating Student). They represented IIUM Pagoh B, storming through multiple rounds of rigorous argumentation before emerging as overall champions.
Their triumph was not just a competitive success, but a sentimental one. Both Br. Hafiz Zhafri and Sr. Nureen Maisarah are graduates of Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Temerloh (INSOFT), who reunited for the first and last time as debate partners before completing their undergraduate studies.
Together, they delivered dynamic performances by combining Br. Hafiz Zhafri’s extensive trilingual debating experience in Malay, Arabic, and English with Sr. Nureen Maisarah’s analytical precision and composure. Their synergy and intellectual maturity captivated the adjudicators and earned IIUM Pagoh its first English debate crown.
“It feels surreal. We’ve both been debating for years, but this was our first and last time teaming up and we ended it with a win. It’s the best graduation gift we could’ve asked for,” — Br. Hafiz Zhafri, Champion Debater
In a remarkable show of strength, EDC IWON Pagoh also sent a second team, IIUM Pagoh A, represented by both first year and first semester, Br. Anwar Haarith Bin Adi Arman and Sr. Nur Alia Humaira Binti Amat Kamal.
Despite being newcomers, the pair delivered powerful performances throughout the tournament, ultimately securing a Finalist position and ranking 4th overall. Their composure on stage and their ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with senior debaters proved that EDC Pagoh’s next generation is ready to continue the legacy.
“Every round was a learning curve. The best part wasn’t just debating — it was the growth and the courage to speak up,” — Sr. Alia Humaira, Finalist
Not to forget mentioning Pagoh’s Unsung Contributor, Br. Danial Hazmi Hamizi (4th Year, ENCOM) participated as a Swing Team representative during the earlier rounds (18–24 October, online). His participation reflected the spirit of commitment and collaboration that defines the English Debating and Public Speaking Club.
History in the Making: EDC Pagoh Clinches First-Ever English Debate Championship
For the first time in history, the English Debating and Public Speaking Club (EDC) of IIUM Pagoh Campus has claimed the championship title in an English-language debate, marking a proud milestone in the campus’s growing debating legacy. The victory took place at the Interkuliyyah Economic Debate 2025, held at KENMS Lecture Theatre 1, IIUM Gombak, where participants from various kulliyyahs gathered to discuss and debate pressing global economic issues.
The winning pair was from IIUM Pagoh B which was teamed up by Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal (ACOM Graduating Student) and Sr. Nureen Maisarah Binti Pahrul Raji (TMGT Graduating Student). They represented IIUM Pagoh B, storming through multiple rounds of rigorous argumentation before emerging as overall champions.
Their triumph was not just a competitive success, but a sentimental one. Both Br. Hafiz Zhafri and Sr. Nureen Maisarah are graduates of Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Temerloh (INSOFT), who reunited for the first and last time as debate partners before completing their undergraduate studies.
Together, they delivered dynamic performances by combining Br. Hafiz Zhafri’s extensive trilingual debating experience in Malay, Arabic, and English with Sr. Nureen Maisarah’s analytical precision and composure. Their synergy and intellectual maturity captivated the adjudicators and earned IIUM Pagoh its first English debate crown.
“It feels surreal. We’ve both been debating for years, but this was our first and last time teaming up and we ended it with a win. It’s the best graduation gift we could’ve asked for,” — Br. Hafiz Zhafri, Champion Debater
In a remarkable show of strength, EDC IWON Pagoh also sent a second team, IIUM Pagoh A, represented by both first year and first semester, Br. Anwar Haarith Bin Adi Arman and Sr. Nur Alia Humaira Binti Amat Kamal.
Despite being newcomers, the pair delivered powerful performances throughout the tournament, ultimately securing a Finalist position and ranking 4th overall. Their composure on stage and their ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with senior debaters proved that EDC Pagoh’s next generation is ready to continue the legacy.
“Every round was a learning curve. The best part wasn’t just debating — it was the growth and the courage to speak up,” — Sr. Alia Humaira, Finalist
Not to forget mentioning Pagoh’s Unsung Contributor, Br. Danial Hazmi Hamizi (4th Year, ENCOM) participated as a Swing Team representative during the earlier rounds (18–24 October, online). His participation reflected the spirit of commitment and collaboration that defines the English Debating and Public Speaking Club.
Suara Cendekia 2025: Triumph at the Debat Piala Pengerusi LPU
Next came Suara Cendekia 2025, hosted at UTHM, a battleground that became the stage for IIUM Pagoh’s second crown of the year. The team was Br. Muhammad Danish Syabil Bin Muhamad, Sr. Farah Ainin Sofiya Binti Azizan, Br. Muhamad Irfan Bin Mohamad Faizul and Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal, rose above the competition to be named Overall Champion defeating Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
Adding to the glory, Br. Irfan Faizul was crowned the Best Speaker of the Final, embodying the intellectual brilliance and composure that define Pagoh’s debating spirit. This was no ordinary win it was KDBM’s first major championship of 2025, setting the rhythm for what would become a golden streak.
Debat Daksina 2025: The Return of the Maahad Muar Legacy
From 1 to 2 November 2025, in conjunction with the National Language Month Celebration, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Wilayah Selatan and the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) jointly organized the Pertandingan Debat DAKSINA IPT Zon Selatan (Piala Datuk Bandar Johor Bahru), alongside the Sketsa Competition for Johor Bahru District Schools 2025. The closing ceremony, held at Perpustakaan Sultan Ismail, was officiated by YB Dato’ Hj. Mohd. Hafizz bin Hj. Ahmad, Mayor of Johor Bahru. Now in its fifth edition since 2017, the debate brought together eight teams from southern zone institutions, representing Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.
In a gripping final round, IIUM Pagoh triumphed over Multimedia University (MMU) to seize the championship title, reclaiming the crown they last held in 2021. The victory earned the team RM2,000 in cash, the Datuk Bandar Johor Bahru Challenge Trophy, accompanying trophies, and certificates of recognition. MMU, as runners-up, received RM1,800, while UiTM Segamat and IPG Kampus Teknik Nilai shared third place.
The IIUM Pagoh team was Br. Muhammad Hanif bin Naim, Sr. Hamizah Binti Hamzah, Br. Ahmad Fitri Hakim bin Hashim and Sr. Farah Ainin Sofiya binti Azizan. Full of commitments, they dominated every round, with all three main debaters earning Best Speaker titles during the preliminary stages.
The feat was especially symbolic, as all three core debaters were alumni of SMKA Maahad Muar, reclaiming the title after finishing as runners-up in 2023, and restoring their legacy of victory from 2021. Beyond the trophy, the triumph also marked a symbolic finale, serving as the final championship under the leadership of IWON Pagoh’s debate coordinator, Laoshi Muhammad Nazirul bin Mohd Noor, who is set to step down after years of dedicated service in nurturing the campus debate scene.
It was, in every sense, a fitting closure and a victory not just for the team, but for a mentor whose unwavering guidance lit the flame of excellence in every debater who passed through his care.
Policy and Precision: IIUM Pagoh Wins 1st National Policy Competition 2025
Breaking new ground once again, IWON Pagoh made history by emerging Champion of the inaugural National Policy Competition (Pertandingan Polisi Negara 2025), its first-ever participation, and its first national victory in a policy-making arena.
Held from 4th to 6th November 2025, the competition was jointly organized by Institut Sosial Malaysia (ISM) and INPUMA, Universiti Malaya (UM). It brought together bright young minds from across Malaysia to propose visionary, research-based solutions to pressing national issues.
The IIUM Pagoh team was Sr. Nurhafizah Mashitha Kholish, Br. Dominic Irman Fitri Bin Irman Nizam, Sr. Wan Eymeela Madihah Binti Wan Saiful Arini, Sr. Nur Irdina Binti Hamka, and Br. Nik Ahmad Afiq Isra Bin Nik Muhamad Norisam. They impressed judges with their intellectual precision, data-driven reasoning, and creativity in policy formulation.
In the first round, the team proposed a “Beri dan Bantu Wanita” policy which is focusing on empowering women through access, equity, and support systems. In the final round, they presented “MUM (Mesra Usia Malaysia)”, a forward-looking national framework aimed at building age-friendly communities that prioritize inclusivity and sustainable well-being for Malaysia’s ageing population.
Remarkably, none of the team members came from a Law or Policy Studies background, yet, through sheer teamwork, rigorous research, and the spirit of ilm, they proved that Pagoh’s thinkers are more than debaters and indeed they are architects of national ideas.
Their victory earned them the National Champion title and the admiration of participants nationwide, marking a proud milestone for both the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL) and the IIUM World Debate and Oratory Center (IWON Pagoh). Alhamdulillah, this win not only symbolizes intellectual excellence but also the spirit of conviction and collaboration that defines the new generation of IIUM Pagoh, truly, “Generation of Thinkers.”
International Glory: Festival Jazirah Arab (FJA) 2025
Finally, IIUM Pagoh took its voice to the international stage at the Festival Jazirah Arab 2025, hosted by Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Indonesia and once again, came home champions. The Arabic Debate team was Sr. Salsabeel Binti Norazam, Br. Ahmad Wildan Bin Romzan, and Sr. Nurulhuda Husna Binti Wan Mohd Rafi. They outperformed teams across the region to claim the International Debate Championship, while Sr. Salsabeel Norazam herself was named Overall Final Best Speaker, adding another star to the Pagoh constellation. Not to be outdone, Sr. Durrani Afiqah Binti Kamarazaman represented ADC IWON Pagoh in the Public Speaking category, continuing the centre’s proud tradition of multilingual excellence.
Five Championships. One Campus. Endless Spirit.
From English debate to Arabic eloquence, from policy precision to national debate prestige, IIUM Pagoh has carved its name across every stage it entered this semester, securing five championship titles across four languages. Beyond the trophies and triumphs lies one unwavering belief: that ideas, when spoken with integrity and intellect, can move worlds. As IWON Pagoh 2025 proudly reminds us, “We don’t just debate to win. We debate to define the future.”***
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