SIBU: SM Chung Hua No. 1, Kuching emerged as the champion in state-level student forum competition co-hosted by Pustaka Sarawak and the United Association of Private Chinese Secondary Schools Management Board (UAPCSSMB), Sarawak.
SM Jalan Riam, Miri came second while SM Pei Min, Miri was third.
Myceasarion Santa Franklin of SM Jalan Riam, Miri earned the distinction of best panel chairperson, while Wong Jia Yin from SM Chung Hua No. 1, Kuching was recognised as the best panel member.
The competition, which attracted 12 Chinese independent secondary schools across the state, was held in conjunction with the first-ever Multiracial Festival.
The festival’s primary objective was to promote Bahasa Malaysia, recognised as a second language within Chinese independent secondary schools, where the medium of instruction was predominantly Chinese.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek represented Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian at the forum’s closing ceremony and prize-giving presentation.
In his speech, Dr Sim stressed the significance of the Malay language as the national and official language of the country.
He said various intellectual programmes, including the state-level student forum competition, were in line with the government policies.
He expressed his belief in the competition’s potential to indirectly cultivate a culture of knowledge among students, fostering their creative, critical, and insightful argumentation skills.
“These skills are integral for our state government’s vision of propelling Sarawak toward prosperity by 2030. We must ensure that the current generation of youth can think globally and recognise the nation’s future significance.”
He believed that such events would nurture students who possessws creativity, innovation, and a keen awareness of current issues, thus fostering emotional and intellectual intelligence to confront future challenges effectively.
Dr Sim wished for increased collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations to realise the aspiration of a thriving and united nation across all domains, particularly in line with the concept of Sarawak 2030’s prosperity.
“The synergy and cooperation cultivated through such initiatives will further the dissemination and promotion of the national language and literature. As such, the state government will continue to support such programmes.”
Present at the event were Pustaka Sarawak director Abang Haliman Abang Julai and UAPCSSMB Sarawak president Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming.
