Masing (seated centre) is seen with the delegation. Seated from left are Matthias, Churchill, Harold, and Graman; while from back left are Watson, Matthew, Isa and Christopher. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
KUCHING: The Utusan Borneo-Association for Educational Development of Iban Language (UB-Aedil) will hold the first Iban-language public speaking competition.
Patron Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing called the competition, which will have its final on Aug 5, historic.
Masing, who is Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, also pledged RM30,000 to UB-Aedil for the event.
He said the competition is timely and apt for the Iban community to develop public speaking in a more formal way.
Masing pointed out that the Iban language is very rich not only in phonetics and terms but also in idioms.
“Those who master idioms will not only have an advantage but also will stand out over others. I am glad that we are having a proper platform for the young to showcase their skills in public speaking,” he said during a courtesy visit by the committee yesterday.
The competition – divided into Secondary Schools and University/Tertiary Institutions – is open to all Malaysians.
For the University/Tertiary Institutions category, the champion speaker will receive RM2,000, followed by RM1,500, and RM1,000 for second and third place.
Three other finalists will receive a consolation prize of RM200 each.
The champion speaker in the Secondary Schools category will receive RM1,500, while RM1,000 and RM500 await the second and third place winners respectively.
Three other finalists will receive a consolation prize of RM200 each.
Those in the delegation were organising chairman Churchill Edward Drem; deputy organising chairman Isa Lee; secretary Matthias Kassap; executive members Christopher Bishop, Matthew Umpang and Watson Mejang; as well as Aedil vice-president Graman Ringi and honorary secretary Harold Unsie.