BINTULU: After 26 years in practice, the Student Forum Competition is seen as the best stage for Chinese school students to master and expand the use of Bahasa Melayu as an intermediate language.
Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the forum had contributed greatly to the wide usage of Bahasa Melayu among Chinese students.
“The 26th year of the organisation of the event is an organisational record in educating Chinese stream students to master the communication and critical thinking skills in the present and in the future,” he said.
He praised Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) for helping to expose and strengthen the use of the national language among the various ethnic communities in Sarawak.
“It is noted that it has attracted interest and seriousness among Chinese high school students to increase the use of Bahasa Melayu in their respective schools,” he said in his speech text read by Bintulu District Officer Muhamad Dino Amid during the closing ceremony of the State-Level Student Forum Competition 2019 and Presentation of Prizes Ceremony Thursday.
Amongst those present were DBP Sarawak Branch acting director Haliza Jamaluddin, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) assistant public affairs officer Dorita Abdullah and Kai Dee Secondary School principal representing the School Management Board chairman Chong Che Ching.
SMK Jalan Riam in Miri emerged as champion and brought home a trophy, cash prize of RM200, a certificate and a DBP book.
In second place was SMK (J) Chung Hua No.1 Kuching which received RM150 each, a certificate and DBP book while in third place was SMK Kai Dee in Bintulu which took home RM100, certificate and DBP book.
Meanwhile, See Seng Hian of SMK (J) Chung Hua No. 1 Kuching was named the Best Chairman and received RM200, a certificate and a DBP book while Genevie Lo Tuble from SMK Jalan Riam in Miri won the Best Forum Member who received RM200 prize, a certificate and DBP book.
SMK Jalan Riam student Ashley Bernadette Simon emerged champion in the Poetry Recitation Competition to bag RM200, followed by SMK Jalan Riam student Law Shau Zuan at second place. Law brought home RM150.
SMK Chung Hua No.1 student Chin Xin Min came in third place and won RM100.
The three winners also received a certificate and a DBP book each.
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