KUCHING – A prestigious debating competition designed to cultivate critical thinking and articulate leadership among students has entered its final stages in the state capital.
The Youth Civic Forum Round Cup, held under the patronage of His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, continues to serve as a vital platform for nurturing a generation capable of reasoned discourse and prudent argumentation.
Dr Azizul Ismail, the Director of the Sarawak Branch of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), highlighted the enduring significance of the event during a press conference on Thursday.
Originally established in 1989 and rebranded as the Youth Civic Forum in 2025, the competition has evolved to meet contemporary educational needs while maintaining its core mission.
Its primary objective is to strengthen proficiency in the Malay language through structured forums, discussions, and high-quality debate, while simultaneously building confidence and public speaking skills among participants.
“The important thing here is that we want to produce future leaders, especially in the state of Sarawak, who are brave enough to argue and present their arguments well and with politeness,” Dr Azizul stated.
He emphasised that while young people are naturally passionate about expressing their views, the forum provides a disciplined environment where they can learn to voice their opinions with manners and respect.
This balance between assertiveness and civility is considered essential for effective leadership in a multicultural society.
The 2026 edition of the competition saw an encouraging level of participation, with 50 teams from various schools across Sarawak entering the fray.
After a rigorous selection process involving preliminary rounds and semi-finals, only five teams demonstrated the requisite skill and depth of analysis to qualify for the grand finale. This competitive filter ensures that the final stage features only the most prepared and articulate debaters.
The five schools that have secured their place in the final round are Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bintulu, SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab from Kuching, SMK Methodist Sibu, SMK Kubong in Limbang, and SMK Kabong.
Each team has spent weeks preparing arguments on current socio-political and cultural topics, reflecting their ability to engage with complex issues relevant to the state and the nation.
The champion of the Sarawak-level competition will earn the honour of representing the state at the 2026 National Level Youth Forum Competition.
This opportunity allows the winning students to showcase Sarawak’s talent on a broader stage, competing against peers from other states and fostering national-level intellectual exchange.
The final stage of the competition is scheduled to take place on 29 July 2026 at the Balai Budaya, located at the DBP Sarawak Branch.
The event will be officiated by His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by his consort, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Their presence underscores the high regard in which the state holds youth development and linguistic preservation.
Educators and parents have long recognised the value of such competitions in complementing formal classroom learning.
By engaging in civic forums, students develop research skills, logical reasoning, and the ability to listen to opposing viewpoints.
These competencies are increasingly valuable in an era where information overload often leads to polarised debates.
The DBP’s commitment to organising this event reflects a broader strategy to promote the Malay language as a medium of intellectual discourse.
By encouraging students to use the language in formal and analytical contexts, the department aims to enhance its status and utility in academic and professional spheres.
As the final approaches, anticipation is high among the participating schools and their supporters. The competition not only celebrates linguistic excellence but also reinforces the importance of respectful dialogue in democratic societies.
For the young participants, it is a chance to demonstrate that they are ready to assume the responsibilities of future leadership with wisdom and grace.
