Japanese Student Wins International Malay Language Public Speaking Contest

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), July 27 (Bernama) -- A participant from Japan, Lisa Shimazaki (second from right) was crowned champion of the 2017 Prime Minister's Cup International Malay Language competition for the International category here, Wednesday night. The student from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies chose the title ‘Bahasa Bukan Sekadar Alat untuk Berkomunikasi, Bahasa Adalah Segala-galanya’ (Language is Not Just A Tool for Communicating, Language Is Everything) and defeated two other finalists in the competition held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here. She took home a cash prize of US$4,676 (RM20,000), the Prime Minister's Cup, a trophy, gift and certificate. Meanwhile, Afghan national Abdul Matin (front, left) with his title ‘Diragahayu, Bahasa Melayu’ (Long Live the Malay Language) won the International Student category, while Noor Haqim Noor Hamiddon (third from right) took home the main prize in the ‘Alam Melayu’ category with the title ‘Pesan Seniman’ (Artiste’s Message). Prime Minister Najib Razak (front, second from left) presented the prizes to all winners in the competition featuring 53 participants from 35 countries. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA