The glorious Tunku Abdullah Debate Challenge (TADC) 2019 raised its curtain today at St. John’s International School (SJIS) Campus 2. This long-anticipated debate challenge was jointly organised by Direct English Malaysia and SJIS. The Grand Finals of this ‘Asian Parliamentary Debate’ kicked off with an enlivening speech by the distinguished TADC Chairman, Tunku Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Iskandar Tunku Abdullah. He included his heartiest gratitude and appreciation to all the participating schools. He also expanded his acknowledgement to all the teachers and student spectators of respective schools, who turned up in great significance. He acknowledged, with great pride, that this 2nd edition has succeeded in bringing together an even greater number of schools. In 2018, 10 schools participated with a total number of 20 teams in both categories. This time around, it felt great to have 17 schools participating with a total of 34 teams in both categories – an increase of more than 50% in participation. There was once again a good combination of schools: 8 international schools, 7 national schools and 2 Chinese independent schools – with one school hailing all the way from Sibu, Sarawak! There were substantial improvements in TADC debate techniques, such as Manner, Method and Matter. The eloquent debaters were given scores based on these three techniques, creating heat during the debate sessions.

There were 3 judges assigned to judge each category of TADC Grand Finals 2019. Our renowned judges for both categories were Y.A.M. Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, who is an author, writer, columnist and co-founder of The Malaysia Think Tank, better known as The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs – IDEAS; Mr Tony Collingridge, OBE, the Capital Investment Specialist to the UK Department for the International Trade; Y.M. Tunku Halim bin Tunku Abdullah, an Advocate and Solicitor by training, as well as an award winning author; Y.Bhg. Dato’ Steve Day, the Founder and Chief Executive of Vision Media Four Group; and last but not least, Y.M. Datin Dr. Hjh. Raja Mazuin Bt. Raja Abd. Aziz, the Vice-President II, Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA).

The students waited impatiently for the prize giving segment, as they were excited to find out who would be crowned as Best Speakers (Male & Female) for both categories. S.M.K Desa Perdana won 3 trophies for Under 18 category. Kushiiribeth A/P Ganasan received her winning trophy as U-18 TADC Best Speaker (Female), while Lee Su Yi won the trophy for TADC Best Speaker Runner-Up (Female); TADC Best Speaker Runner-Up (Male) trophy was won by Kho Zi Jian. Amir Hakim bin Ramzulhakim from Sayfol International School bagged the TADC Best Speaker (Male) title. Firza Azureen binti Ridzuan from S.M.K Puteri Titiwangsa won her trophy as TADC Best Speaker Runner-Up (Female), while Cristiano Leonardo walked away as TADC Best Speaker Runner-Up (Male). The students from ELC Sungai Buloh, Thamini A/P Vijeyasingam and Kaushal Agarwal won titles as TADC Best Speakers (Male & Female) categories. Happiness and a sense of accomplishment could clearly be seen on the winners faces, as well as their teachers’. Next, it was the most nail-biting moment of the event – TADC Under 15 and Under 18 Championship trophies for the winning schools. Debaters from the 4 schools were anxious, yet eager. There was a loud roar of cheers and applause when S.M.K Convent Bukit Nanas was announced as the Overall Champion for Under 18 category, while S.M.K Desa Perdana won the trophy for TADC 1st Runner Up. ELC Sungai Buloh won the TADC Championship Trophy for Under 15 category, whereas Cempaka International School won the trophy for TADC 1st Runner Up.

SJIS would like to congratulate all winners and participants for putting their best effort forward in the debate rounds. As said by Tom Clancy, “a lively discussion is usually helpful, because the hottest fire makes the hardest steel”; it was certainly an eventful day for debaters and guests alike.