The UMNO Club–Chair of Malay Studies New Zealand Parliamentary Style Malay Language Debate Competition 2008 was proudly hosted by the Wellington UMNO Club on the 30th of June and 1st of July 2008. The debate mainly aimed to uphold the status of the Malay Language as Malaysia’s national language and to instill awareness of proper Malay language usage among the younger generation. The participating clubs were all four UMNO Clubs in New Zealand: Otago, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. The debate was held concurrently with the annually organized sports event, Bersatu Games which took place in Wellington this year.
The preliminary rounds took place on the evening of the 30th June 2008 at Lecture Theatre 101, Murphy Building, Kelburn Campus of Victoria University. Audience attendance was surprisingly a lot more than expected as supporters came to listen and cheer. Team UMNO Otago won against team UMNO Wellington and Auckland UMNO Club won against team UMNO Christchurch on the motion: ‘Bahasa Melayu Mampu Bergelar Bahasa Dunia’. Both winning teams made their way to the final round the next evening.
Accommodating a bigger crowd the evening after, the final round of the debate was held at Lecture Theatre 1 of Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus. This time, the governing team proposed the motion ‘Pelaburan Langsung Asing Menjamin Pembangunan Negara Mapan’. Members of the floor were enlightened by the arguments as the debate became more and more intense with strong points and humorous analogies. The governing team, consists of members from Otago won the debate, thus declared as the champ of the first ever UMNO Club–Chair of Malay Studies New Zealand Parliamentary Style Malay Language Debate Competition. They were awarded medals and the challenge trophy. Mohd Faizal Ahmad, also from Otago was named Best Debater.
The prize-giving ceremony was next, incepted by comments from the Head Adjudicator, En Wan Aminuddin Wan Ibrahim. All three judges were invited to present certificates, medals and trophies and the event ended as guests were served some refreshments.
The Wellington UMNO Club would like to forward its many thanks to the Chair of Malay Studies Victoria University of Wellington; Prof Dato’ Dr Othman Yatim, Miss Yvette Koo, adjudicators for both preliminary and final rounds of the debate; En Wan Aminuddin Wan Ibrahim, En Adi Affendi, Pn Siti Nor Jallila and Mr Selva Ramasami. Not forgetting all participants, crew members, supporters and everyone who has made this event a successful one.