KUCHING: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sadong Hilir (Semera), Kota Samarahan was named as winner of “Forum Remaja Piala Pusingan Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak 2017 Competition” held at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in Petra Jaya here, yesterday.
The winner took home a cash prize of RM5000, a championship trophy, books published by DBP and certificates of appreciation.
In second and third places were SMK Baru Miri, Miri and SMK Sri Aman, Sri Aman respectively.
SMK Baru Miri, Miri took home a cash prize worth RM4000, books published by DBP and certificates of appreciation while SMK Sri Aman, Sri Aman brought home a cash prize of RM3000, books published by DBP and certificates of appreciation.
Meanwhile, Best Chairman and Best Forum Member went to Laura Lunna Rangga of SMK Bandar Miri, Miri and Afiqah Husna Majelan of SMK Sadong Hilir (Semera), Kota Samarahan respectively.
Earlier on, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg in his text speech read by Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr. Annuar Rapa’ee stated that the competition was able to provide a positive impact on the psycholinguistics development of students in particular, to train students in communication skills and higher-order thinking.
“Because of this ability is highly dependent on the acquisition and use of language, it is the responsibility of us all to do the construction of the language for the younger generation.
“I will always support such efforts as well as to increase the affection of the people especially the younger generation on the national language.
“Such efforts must be moved from time to time with a more structured and organized planning, particularly in our efforts to help the government to create a competent and competitive generation,” he said.
He added, public should also be given an injection of constant awareness about the role of the national language in a sovereign country in facing an increasingly challenging world nowadays.
“The public also need to be made aware that the emphasis given by the government against the domination of English or other languages as a means to gain the knowledge which is needed on a global scale.
“However, in the meantime, the national language as well as the official language of the country, namely Bahasa Melayu should also be upheld and be made as the language of knowledge and communication, as enshrined in Article 152 of the Malaysian Constitution,” he said.
At the same time, he also hoped that teachers, schools and entire community to appreciate and encouraged the efforts of young people to be involved in activities related to the arts such as theater performances, poetry recitations and so forth.
In addition, in line with the 40th anniversary celebration of DBP Sarawak branch, he was confident that DBP will continue to play its role in promoting the knowledge, culture and creativity to society in the country.
Meanwhile, DBP Deputy Director General (Policy) Datuk Haji Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokeran in his welcoming address hoped that SMK Sadong Hilir (Semera), Kota Samarahan will bring back the championship trophy for the “Forum Remaja Peringkat Kebangsaan Competition” to be held in August.
According to him, Sarawak has held the title of champion in 2004, represented by SMK Agama Sibu.
He also took the opportunity to thank the state government as well as government agencies and the private sector which have been tremendously helpful in organizing various programmes over the years.
He added, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary celebration of DBP Sarawak branch, various programmes have been and will be carried out by DBP such as ‘Sayembara Penulisan Kreatif (Novel)’, Seminar Pelestarian Bahasa dan Sastera Peribumi Sarawak’, Majlis Pengucapan Puisi Bandaraya’, ‘Sayembara Monodrama dan Dekon’, ‘Bicara Karya’, theater performances and more.
