National-level Rukun Negara Speech Competition Opens For Entries

MELAKA, April 17 (Bernama) -- The National Level Rukun Negara Speech Competition for the Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri’s (TYT) Challenge Trophy opens today and will run until Sept 15.

State Health, Human Resources, and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said a target of over 12,000 entries has been set for this seventh edition of the competition, featuring five categories: Primary School, Secondary School, Higher Learning Institution (IPT), Non-Malay, and Public.

"The competition, themed 'Bersama Membina Negara Bangsa' (Building a Nation State Together), is open to all Malaysian citizens regardless of whether they reside in Melaka or other states.

"Last year, we received 9,321 entries in five categories, including 5,673 from the Primary School category, Secondary School (1,916), Public (1,153), IPT (298), and Non-Malay (291).

"This year, we hope not only for the total participation to exceed 12,000 people but also to see an increase in the number of entries for the IPT and Non-Malay categories," he told a press conference here today.

Also present were Melaka National Unity and National Integration Department (JPNIN) director Intan Suhana Yusuff and the Institut Tun Perak (ITP) chief executive officer, Assoc Prof Dr Ainuddin Iskandar Lee Abdullah.

Ngwe said the Orang Asli community is also encouraged to participate in the competition, which aims to foster unity and patriotism among the country’s multiracial population.

He said registration and video submissions are open from today until July 31, while the judging process will take place from Aug 1 to 31, followed by the grand final on Sept 15 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Ayer Keroh.

"Participants can register via the official website at https://pidatotyt.melaka.gov.my/.

"Special recognitions, including the Best Performance, Jury’s Special Award, and the Unity Minister’s Trophy, will be maintained as in previous years," he added.

He added that for all categories, the champion will take home RM3,000 in cash, followed by the runner-up (RM2,000), third place (RM1,000), and consolation prizes of RM500 for fourth and fifth places, along with trophies, books, and certificates.

Ngwe is hopeful the speech competition will contribute to Malaysia MADANI's primary goal, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to build a united, stable, and harmonious nation.

-- BERNAMA