By Izzuddeen Redzuan
GOMBAK, 16 September 2015: The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) debate team has a good reason to smile for emerging as the winner of the 25th Debat Alam Sekitar 2015 (DAS2015) at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) in Ipoh, at once defending the championship title three times in a row.
IIUM secured victory as the opposition defeating Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in the final which debated on the topic, œPolitik Alam Sekitar Antarabangsa Berat Sebelah.
The championship, held from 11 until 14 September 2015 and hosted by UTP, was jointly organised by the Majlis Debat Malaysia (MADUM), the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, and Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka (DBP).
IIUM, represented by Luqman Long, Shahrulnizam Mat Roni, Nur Anisatul Ashikin Abd Ruad and Syahmi Jamili, took home RM8,000 in cash, the final’s trophy and certificates of participation.
Haziq Jamaluddin of UiTM, from the government desk, emerged as the Final Best Speaker to walk away with RM1,500 in cash and an individual trophy.
This is the eight times the IIUM Malay Debate team won this championship throughout the 25Â years of event. Â A total of 30 higher learning institutions consisting of the public and the private higher learning institutions took part in this championship.
As usual, in every debate, each team was expected to make thorough preparations through reading and studying the issues relating to the environment, both of local and international concerns. IIUM responded to this challenge by making adequate preparations before translating their knowledge on the subject into a debate with the audience.
Debat Alam Sekitar is the oldest debate competition in Malaysia whereby this year it is celebrating its Jubli Perak (Silver Jubilee). It is most popular among universities throughout the country.***
Photos of Debat Alam Sekitar 2015 & Andrian Yeo