From Seventh to Third in Two Weeks: Hanif Naim’s Rapid Ascent in National Public Speaking Arenas

By, Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal

In a remarkable display of consistency, resilience and growth, Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim, a PhD candidate in Arabic Communication from IIUM Pagoh, has recorded two significant achievements within just two weeks, marking him as one of the campus’s rising orators.

Top 10 Finalist and Seventh Place at  DBP–GEMA National Youth Oratory Competition

Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim was one of five representatives from KDBM IWON Pagoh who competed in the Belia Menjulang Bahasa National Youth Oratory Competition 2025, organised by GEMA Selangor in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). The competition received an impressive 97 initial submissions, from which only 10 finalists were selected for the physical final round held at Balai Seminar Tun Dr. Hamdan Sheikh Tahir, Wisma DBP, Kuala Lumpur. This event, graced by DBP officials and youth leaders, aimed to cultivate articulate, confident young Malaysians while elevating the status of the Malay language as a language of knowledge, economy and nationhood.

Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim, who was drawn as the first finalist to take the stage, delivered his speech with calmness and maturity despite the pressure of opening the event. At the end of the competition, he secured seventh place, making him the only KDBM IWON Pagoh participant to break into the national Top 10.

Not to be overlooked, the other KDBM IWON Pagoh representatives also performed commendably. Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim secured 7th place in the final, while Br. Muhammad Azri and Sr. Haura’ binti Faris reached the Top 20, and Muhammad Faiz bin Abd Latiff participated with distinction.

A Comeback – Third Place at the National Islamic Arts Festival Oratory Finals

Just one week later, on 22 November 2025, Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim once again carried the KDBM IWON Pagoh banner to the national stage at the Open Oratory Competition held in conjunction with the National Islamic Arts Festival and Dakwah Programme 2025 in Bukit Payong, Marang. There were almost 13 finalists from various states and universities. The festival was officiated by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr. Zulkifli Hasan and he highlighted Islamic arts, beneficial sports, and spiritual development programmes.

At the finals, Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim delivered a more refined, confident and compelling speech compared to the previous week, ultimately clinching third place, while his 2 other finalists from KDBM IWON Pagoh, Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal and Br. Imran Husaini bin Mazlan delivered commendable efforts. 

There were 2 rounds of speech, the first one was 8 minutes prepared speech and 3 minutes for spontaneous speech. In the meantime, KDBM IWON Pagoh actually sent 6 participants during online preliminary rounds, they were Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim, Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Bin Abd Kamal, Br. Imran Husaini bin Mazlan, Br. Muhammad Nazim bin Mohamad Nafi, Sr. Nur Irdina binti Hamka and Sr. Farah Ainin Sofiya binti Azizan. Congrats to all.

An Inspiration for KDBM IWON Pagoh Students 

Br. Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim’s back-to-back performances reflect remarkable improvement, rising from 7th place to 3rd place in just seven days. His achievement highlights the growing credibility of KDBM IWON Pagoh as a hub for oratory and debate excellence. His journey shows that progress in public speaking comes through continuous practice, resilience, and the courage to return to the stage after every challenge. Aspiring orators are encouraged to draw inspiration from his achievements and strive for excellence. As he demonstrates: “True victory lies not only in winning medals, but in returning to the stage stronger than you were yesterday.” With his steady upward trajectory, he stands today as one of IWON Pagoh’s most promising young voices.