UM crowned champion of 31st Environmental Debate Competition
Represented by four debaters – Azhad Hafiz Md Razip Han, 22, Khairul Nur Ayuni Rodzan Khairul, 22, Aiesya Salsabila Mohd Radzuan, 23, and Ali Hydar Hafizi, 23 – UM took home the challenge trophy, accompanying trophy, RM12,000 cash prize, and certificates of participation.
Although his team finished as runner-up, Ahmad Idzhad Hamzie, 21, a second-year Petroleum Engineering student, was named Best Debater and awarded a cash prize of RM2,000.
Azhad Hafiz described the win as a hard-earned triumph, marking the team's long-awaited success after coming in second place in 2019.
'Back in 2019, we reached the final but only managed to be runners-up. This year, Alhamdulillah, we proved that UM can be champions,' he told Bernama.
He added that environmental debate posed a unique challenge, requiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues to construct strong arguments.
UTP secured second place and received an accompanying trophy, RM7,000, and certificates, while Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) came in third, winning RM2,000, a trophy, and certificates.
The prizes were presented by deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Datuk Nor Yahati Awang.
Also present were UTP provost Datuk Ir Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Professor Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, who also chairs the University Debate Council (MADUM), and Petronas Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment vice president, Zamri Japar.
In her speech, Yahati said the competition aligns with national aspirations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on quality education.
'Early exposure to intellectual discourse not only sharpens students' critical thinking but also nurtures a sense of responsibility for environmental protection.
'This competition serves not only as an academic platform but also as a key avenue to spread the message that environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility involving government, private sector, academia, and the public,' she said.
She added that NRES believes environmental awareness should begin in schools and continue through higher education, proving that education can be a powerful driver for sustainable change.
The event was organised by the Department of Environment (DOE) in collaboration with MADUM, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
Education amendment bill 2025 makes secondary school compulsory
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, proposing significant changes to Malaysia's education system. The bill aims to make secondary education compulsory, expanding the current definition under the Education Act 1996. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh introduced the bill, confirming that the second reading will follow during the ongoing parliamentary session. The amendments target Section 2 of the Education Act 1996, redefining 'compulsory education' to include secondary schooling. A new provision, Section 32A, mandates that parents of Malaysian children residing in the country must enroll their children in secondary education institutions and ensure continuous attendance. Non-compliance could lead to penalties, including fines up to RM5,000, imprisonment for six months, or both. The bill acknowledges that these changes will require additional government funding, though the exact financial impact remains undetermined. The move aligns with broader efforts to enhance educational attainment and reduce dropout rates nationwide. - Bernama
![[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fbhjuharik_1753682342.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 465 cases of encroachment on federal land were recorded from 2015 to May 2025, said Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister said most encroachers use the land for squatter housing, small businesses, food stalls, and car wash operations. "According to the Land and Mines Department, there have been 465 cases of encroachment on federal land from 2015 to May 2025. "The total area of land owned by the Federal government is 215,406 hectares. In the case of Penang, 26 complaints involved encroachment on federal land, affecting 18 land lots. "To deal with encroachment on federal land, the Land and Mines Department will coordinate with enforcement agencies, ministries, and the relevant departments. Under Section 425 of the National Land Code, enforcement notices will be issued to encroachers, for them to vacate the site. The relevant agency must then implement control measures to prevent further encroachment," he said in the Dewan Rakyat during Minister's Question Time. He was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), who asked for details on encroachments on federal-owned land nationwide, specifically in Penang, the actions taken against encroachers, and whether there are plans to develop the land. Johari said the respective ministry or department must take action by installing signboards, fencing off the area, hiring security guards, and demolishing any illegal structures built by encroachers. "In more serious cases where encroachers refuse to vacate and structures have already been built, legal action will be taken. If found guilty, the penalty may be up to RM500,000," he said. Johari said each parcel of federal land has been earmarked for development based on priorities and allocations approved by the federal government. "To ensure optimal use of federal land, the Land and Mines Department facilitates land conversion for use by other ministries and federal agencies that require it, including through rental and leasing arrangements," he said. He was responding to a question from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the ministry's long-term strategic plan to address the poor management of government assets, including abandoned buildings, which has led to encroachment and wastage of national resources. Johari said once a ministry or department is assigned a piece of federal land, it becomes their responsibility. If a project or building on the land is abandoned, the respective ministry must rehabilitate and repurpose it. "If the structure is old – over 40 or 50 years – and no longer suitable for use, the land must be returned to the federal government. The government will then consider alternative uses, such as affordable housing," he said.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Jo Ghani: 456 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 456 cases of encroachment on federal land were recorded from 2015 to May 2025, said Datuk Seri Johari Mohd Ghani. The Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said most encroachers use the land for squatter housing, small businesses, food stalls, and car wash operations. "According to records from the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), there have been 465 cases of encroachment on federal land from 2015 to May 2025. "The total area of land owned by the Federal Government is 215,406 hectares. In the case of Penang, 26 complaints involved encroachment on federal land, affecting 18 land lots. "To enforce action against encroachment on federal land, JKPTG will coordinate with enforcement agencies, ministries, and relevant user departments. Under Section 425 of the National Land Code, enforcement notices will be issued to the encroachers to vacate the site. Subsequently, the land-holding agency (KJP) must take control measures to prevent repeated encroachment," he said in the Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time. He was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN- Kepala Batas) who asked to state the details of the encroachments on federal government-owned land nationwide and specifically in Penang, the action taken against the encroachers, and whether there are plans to develop land owned by the federal government. Johari said the respective ministry or user department must take action against encroachers, such as installing signboards, fencing the area, hiring security guards, and demolishing any illegal structures built by encroachers. "In more extreme cases where the encroachers refuse to vacate and structures are already built, legal action will be taken. If found guilty, the penalty may be up to RM500,000," he said. Johari said that each parcel of federal land is already planned for development depending on priorities and allocations approved by the federal government. "To ensure federal land is optimally utilised, JKPTG implements land conversion for use by other ministries and federal agencies that need it, as well as through rental and leasing arrangements," he said. Johari was also queried by Datuk Adnan Haji Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the ministry's long-term and comprehensive strategic plan to address the issue of the failure to manage government assets, including abandoned government buildings, which has led to encroachment and wastage of national resources. Johari said any government land with an assigned user department or ministry becomes their responsibility. If a project or building on the land has been abandoned, the respective ministry must take responsibility to rehabilitate and repurpose the building. "If left abandoned, especially when the structure is over 40 or 50 years old and no longer suitable, the land must be returned to the federal government. The government will then seek alternative uses for it, such as developing affordable housing," he said.
