ID :
193706
Fri, 07/08/2011 - 12:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193706
The shortlink copeid
NON-MALAYS COMPETE IN MALAY LANGUAGE ORATORY
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The first Malay Language Oratorical
Competition for non-Malays was well-received.
A total of 173 participants from across the nation entered the competition,
organised by the Information Department of Malaysia.
The state-level 1Malaysia Oratorical Competition, which began in April, is
open to non-Malays aged 18 and above. So far, Chinese make up the largest number
of participants, at 71, followed by Indians (60), while the remaining 42
participants are of Iban, Dusun, Kadazan and Thai descent.
Fifteen participants, representing every state, will participate in the
finals on July 19. The competition will take place at the Kraftangan Malaysia
Amphitheatre, at the Craft Complex in KL.
Information Director-General Ibrahim Abdul Rahman said the competition was
conducted under the National Language Culturalisation Campaign, aimed at
promoting the use of the national language among people.
"The 1Malaysia Oratorical Competition is one of the methods to present and
disseminate information on governmental policies, particularly on Gagasan
1Malaysia (1Malaysia concept). It fulfills the objective of the concept by
promoting the usage of the national language," said Ibrahim.
LANGUAGE, A PLATFORM FOR UNITY
He said, the competition was expected to be an annual affair, and the
Information Department was targeting an increase in participation next year.
It is also seen as a continuation of the Nationhood Oration Competition that
was, previously, open to all races. However, the current format seeks to attract
greater non-Malay participation.
Ibrahim said the competition, themed 'The 1Malaysia Concept a Platform to
National Unity’, gave participants the opportunity to improve on their knowledge
of the concept and the country’s policies.
"The mastery and culturalisation of the Malay language, as the national
language among non-Malays, is very important, as it is the foundation of unity,
and will sow love for the nation," he said.
Ibrahim said the department would continue running campaigns to promote the
national language.
"Language is the heart of the nation. It is important to use it properly.
When talking in Malay, do not mix it with other languages," he said.
After the finals, participants will join the Information Department to train
a new batch of orators, and share with them their knowledge and experiences.
Ibrahim said the winner of the competition would have the opportunity to
participate in future programmes by the Information Department, to encourage
greater non-Malay participation.
UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE
Former teacher Pui Tion Gee Awang Abdullah, 58, who is representing
Terengganu in the contest, said orating was not as simple as it sounded. He said
although many people could speak in public, it was difficult to do so with
finesse and ease.
Although experienced in oratory, Pui said public speaking was not a skill
that could be acquired through formal education.
"Orating is an ability that is nurtured and developed. Speaking as a former
teacher, I believe these kinds of competitions should be held in schools,
especially for non-Malays," he said.
Perak is represented by chemical engineering student Tan Seng Yee, who is
studying at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). Tan said the competition
reminded him of his orating days in primary school.
"I was excited at the chance to enter, when I was told about it by the UTP
Rukun Negara Secretariat. I promptly starting working on the text of my
1Malaysia speech, getting as much information as possible from the Information
Department official website.
"This competition has helped me a lot in understanding the meaning of unity
under 1Malaysia, especially while researching for the best topic," he said.
Tan suggested the organizers improve the programme further by offering
short-term courses in oration, to participants.
Meanwhile, general studies teacher Selvi Permal, who is representing
Selangor, said the 1Malaysia unity concept was not limited to those in the
education field. It also applied to those who were not students, or were in the
civil services.
Selvi, who often volunteers for community projects and character-building
camps, agreed that competitions such as this communicated a strong message of
unity.
-- BERNAMA
Competition for non-Malays was well-received.
A total of 173 participants from across the nation entered the competition,
organised by the Information Department of Malaysia.
The state-level 1Malaysia Oratorical Competition, which began in April, is
open to non-Malays aged 18 and above. So far, Chinese make up the largest number
of participants, at 71, followed by Indians (60), while the remaining 42
participants are of Iban, Dusun, Kadazan and Thai descent.
Fifteen participants, representing every state, will participate in the
finals on July 19. The competition will take place at the Kraftangan Malaysia
Amphitheatre, at the Craft Complex in KL.
Information Director-General Ibrahim Abdul Rahman said the competition was
conducted under the National Language Culturalisation Campaign, aimed at
promoting the use of the national language among people.
"The 1Malaysia Oratorical Competition is one of the methods to present and
disseminate information on governmental policies, particularly on Gagasan
1Malaysia (1Malaysia concept). It fulfills the objective of the concept by
promoting the usage of the national language," said Ibrahim.
LANGUAGE, A PLATFORM FOR UNITY
He said, the competition was expected to be an annual affair, and the
Information Department was targeting an increase in participation next year.
It is also seen as a continuation of the Nationhood Oration Competition that
was, previously, open to all races. However, the current format seeks to attract
greater non-Malay participation.
Ibrahim said the competition, themed 'The 1Malaysia Concept a Platform to
National Unity’, gave participants the opportunity to improve on their knowledge
of the concept and the country’s policies.
"The mastery and culturalisation of the Malay language, as the national
language among non-Malays, is very important, as it is the foundation of unity,
and will sow love for the nation," he said.
Ibrahim said the department would continue running campaigns to promote the
national language.
"Language is the heart of the nation. It is important to use it properly.
When talking in Malay, do not mix it with other languages," he said.
After the finals, participants will join the Information Department to train
a new batch of orators, and share with them their knowledge and experiences.
Ibrahim said the winner of the competition would have the opportunity to
participate in future programmes by the Information Department, to encourage
greater non-Malay participation.
UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE
Former teacher Pui Tion Gee Awang Abdullah, 58, who is representing
Terengganu in the contest, said orating was not as simple as it sounded. He said
although many people could speak in public, it was difficult to do so with
finesse and ease.
Although experienced in oratory, Pui said public speaking was not a skill
that could be acquired through formal education.
"Orating is an ability that is nurtured and developed. Speaking as a former
teacher, I believe these kinds of competitions should be held in schools,
especially for non-Malays," he said.
Perak is represented by chemical engineering student Tan Seng Yee, who is
studying at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). Tan said the competition
reminded him of his orating days in primary school.
"I was excited at the chance to enter, when I was told about it by the UTP
Rukun Negara Secretariat. I promptly starting working on the text of my
1Malaysia speech, getting as much information as possible from the Information
Department official website.
"This competition has helped me a lot in understanding the meaning of unity
under 1Malaysia, especially while researching for the best topic," he said.
Tan suggested the organizers improve the programme further by offering
short-term courses in oration, to participants.
Meanwhile, general studies teacher Selvi Permal, who is representing
Selangor, said the 1Malaysia unity concept was not limited to those in the
education field. It also applied to those who were not students, or were in the
civil services.
Selvi, who often volunteers for community projects and character-building
camps, agreed that competitions such as this communicated a strong message of
unity.
-- BERNAMA
