assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu and good evening everyone
wabarakatu and good evening everyone
wabarakatu and good evening everyone it’s a pleasure to be here it’s also
it’s a pleasure to be here it’s also
it’s a pleasure to be here it’s also good to know that this event is not
good to know that this event is not
good to know that this event is not canceled more to myself I just want to
canceled more to myself I just want to
canceled more to myself I just want to correct the organizer the beauty about
correct the organizer the beauty about
correct the organizer the beauty about debating in Malaysia is that you don’t
debating in Malaysia is that you don’t
debating in Malaysia is that you don’t need one icon to succeed in Malaysia I’m
need one icon to succeed in Malaysia I’m
need one icon to succeed in Malaysia I’m not the only Aegis bass speaker we have
not the only Aegis bass speaker we have
not the only Aegis bass speaker we have Mubarak Wasi we have mr. Mohammed we
Mubarak Wasi we have mr. Mohammed we
Mubarak Wasi we have mr. Mohammed we have Amira Natasha more just Minho the
have Amira Natasha more just Minho the
have Amira Natasha more just Minho the beauty about the debating community in
beauty about the debating community in
beauty about the debating community in Malaysia is that it’s like a family I
Malaysia is that it’s like a family I
Malaysia is that it’s like a family I mean I was with the organizers in
mean I was with the organizers in
mean I was with the organizers in Istanbul where they made it to the grand
Istanbul where they made it to the grand
Istanbul where they made it to the grand final of an international debating
final of an international debating
final of an international debating championship the very sons of MMU but by
championship the very sons of MMU but by
championship the very sons of MMU but by the end of my presentation here today I
the end of my presentation here today I
the end of my presentation here today I hope you’ll get one thing which is
hope you’ll get one thing which is
hope you’ll get one thing which is debating is not only about winning
debating is not only about winning
debating is not only about winning trophies it’s not only about restoring
trophies it’s not only about restoring
trophies it’s not only about restoring pride to the beloved country which we
pride to the beloved country which we
pride to the beloved country which we debate for it’s not only about the cash
debate for it’s not only about the cash
debate for it’s not only about the cash price and the socials in which we enjoy
price and the socials in which we enjoy
price and the socials in which we enjoy by debating is a lifestyle debating is
by debating is a lifestyle debating is
by debating is a lifestyle debating is the community debating is something
the community debating is something
the community debating is something which we breathe in and breathe out as
which we breathe in and breathe out as
which we breathe in and breathe out as each day passes by and I think that’s
each day passes by and I think that’s
each day passes by and I think that’s the journey which I undertook and I
the journey which I undertook and I
the journey which I undertook and I believe that that’s the journey which I
believe that that’s the journey which I
believe that that’s the journey which I will continue to pursue even after my
will continue to pursue even after my
will continue to pursue even after my competitive debating days if you had
competitive debating days if you had
competitive debating days if you had asked me approximately 7 to 8 years ago
asked me approximately 7 to 8 years ago
asked me approximately 7 to 8 years ago what was debating to me before I started
what was debating to me before I started
what was debating to me before I started and I asked this question to myself
and I asked this question to myself
and I asked this question to myself almost every day because I’m lucky
almost every day because I’m lucky
almost every day because I’m lucky because approximately 8 years ago when
because approximately 8 years ago when
because approximately 8 years ago when someone asked me to join the baiting I
someone asked me to join the baiting I
someone asked me to join the baiting I see a debater is arrogant ultra
see a debater is arrogant ultra
see a debater is arrogant ultra competitive
competitive
competitive and back then of course I was in a Royal
and back then of course I was in a Royal
and back then of course I was in a Royal Military College there are some people
Military College there are some people
Military College there are some people who join debating just because they
who join debating just because they
who join debating just because they wanna exit like military school on
wanna exit like military school on
wanna exit like military school on weekends to see women in debating
weekends to see women in debating
weekends to see women in debating competitions I’m not denying that that’s
competitions I’m not denying that that’s
competitions I’m not denying that that’s one of my motivations but not the
one of my motivations but not the
one of my motivations but not the biggest one but to me at that point in
biggest one but to me at that point in
biggest one but to me at that point in time debating is not a thing I remember
time debating is not a thing I remember
time debating is not a thing I remember when I was in military school when I
when I was in military school when I
when I was in military school when I when I even considered to join the
when I even considered to join the
when I even considered to join the bathing people say hey the debate club
bathing people say hey the debate club
bathing people say hey the debate club is only filled by my boy oh you know
is only filled by my boy oh you know
is only filled by my boy oh you know boyo that’s not on your military school
boyo that’s not on your military school
boyo that’s not on your military school slang Jenny like people who are arrogant
slang Jenny like people who are arrogant
slang Jenny like people who are arrogant but one of my seniors decided to pull me
but one of my seniors decided to pull me
but one of my seniors decided to pull me in and the experimenting side of me
in and the experimenting side of me
in and the experimenting side of me decided to accept it
decided to accept it
decided to accept it before I joined debating I was a
before I joined debating I was a
before I joined debating I was a completely different person I distinctly
completely different person I distinctly
completely different person I distinctly remember that when I was cooling in
remember that when I was cooling in
remember that when I was cooling in Johor ninja Hall you have to go to
Johor ninja Hall you have to go to
Johor ninja Hall you have to go to school on gammon after you finish like
school on gammon after you finish like
school on gammon after you finish like your Navy school I used to skip school
your Navy school I used to skip school
your Navy school I used to skip school agama all the time and I’m not gonna lie
agama all the time and I’m not gonna lie
agama all the time and I’m not gonna lie that’s not the best part of me by used
that’s not the best part of me by used
that’s not the best part of me by used to skip my religious class in school
to skip my religious class in school
to skip my religious class in school almost every day till at one point in
almost every day till at one point in
almost every day till at one point in time my gustas uh-oh the teacher of mine
time my gustas uh-oh the teacher of mine
time my gustas uh-oh the teacher of mine said that sadek I predict that in the
said that sadek I predict that in the
said that sadek I predict that in the future you will be a drug addict so
future you will be a drug addict so
future you will be a drug addict so Nobunaga Dada obviously there’s not the
Nobunaga Dada obviously there’s not the
Nobunaga Dada obviously there’s not the proudest moments of my life there was a
proudest moments of my life there was a
proudest moments of my life there was a time in which I was ridiculously lazy I
time in which I was ridiculously lazy I
time in which I was ridiculously lazy I was ignorant I didn’t care about the
was ignorant I didn’t care about the
was ignorant I didn’t care about the issues around me I spent nights in cyber
issues around me I spent nights in cyber
issues around me I spent nights in cyber cafes playing games but not nice reading
cafes playing games but not nice reading
cafes playing games but not nice reading researching and engaging in critical
researching and engaging in critical
researching and engaging in critical discussions but that was as I would put
discussions but that was as I would put
discussions but that was as I would put it the man jahiliya the dark days of my
it the man jahiliya the dark days of my
it the man jahiliya the dark days of my of my life what brought me out was the
of my life what brought me out was the
of my life what brought me out was the light through debating because when my
light through debating because when my
light through debating because when my senior senior Michael army as for who
senior senior Michael army as for who
senior senior Michael army as for who until today I still call Master Yoda
until today I still call Master Yoda
until today I still call Master Yoda when he pulled me into debating at that
when he pulled me into debating at that
when he pulled me into debating at that point in time no one else saw hope in me
point in time no one else saw hope in me
point in time no one else saw hope in me I personally thought I was hopeless as
I personally thought I was hopeless as
I personally thought I was hopeless as well my English was horrible
well my English was horrible
well my English was horrible I I always say this i used to pronounce
I I always say this i used to pronounce
I I always say this i used to pronounce recipe as a recipe and all the typical
recipe as a recipe and all the typical
recipe as a recipe and all the typical it’s known in english is like clear-cut
it’s known in english is like clear-cut
it’s known in english is like clear-cut mispronunciation it was horrible
mispronunciation it was horrible
mispronunciation it was horrible even though my mum was an English
even though my mum was an English
even though my mum was an English teacher guru to Milan Mary but by the
teacher guru to Milan Mary but by the
teacher guru to Milan Mary but by the Sun to not be good in English slightly
Sun to not be good in English slightly
Sun to not be good in English slightly odd it’s not my mom it’s me my knowledge
odd it’s not my mom it’s me my knowledge
odd it’s not my mom it’s me my knowledge was very thin I always say that I once
was very thin I always say that I once
was very thin I always say that I once thought Africa was the country and Egypt
thought Africa was the country and Egypt
thought Africa was the country and Egypt was the continent if you ask me about
was the continent if you ask me about
was the continent if you ask me about who’s the name of the Prime Minister
who’s the name of the Prime Minister
who’s the name of the Prime Minister back then only no one I wouldn’t mention
back then only no one I wouldn’t mention
back then only no one I wouldn’t mention because I’m scared people might feel
because I’m scared people might feel
because I’m scared people might feel it’s very political but I don’t know
it’s very political but I don’t know
it’s very political but I don’t know about the rest I don’t know my country’s
about the rest I don’t know my country’s
about the rest I don’t know my country’s history that was again Samantha Helia
history that was again Samantha Helia
history that was again Samantha Helia but then when I got into debating slowly
but then when I got into debating slowly
but then when I got into debating slowly but surely I started to disengage myself
but surely I started to disengage myself
but surely I started to disengage myself from the ignorant shell of mine because
from the ignorant shell of mine because
from the ignorant shell of mine because at that point in time debating if you
at that point in time debating if you
at that point in time debating if you ask me was not about winning trophies
ask me was not about winning trophies
ask me was not about winning trophies because I never ever imagined I’ll be
because I never ever imagined I’ll be
because I never ever imagined I’ll be able to win trophies through debating
able to win trophies through debating
able to win trophies through debating debating at that point in time was me
debating at that point in time was me
debating at that point in time was me joining important discussions with my
joining important discussions with my
joining important discussions with my senior was me having discussions about
senior was me having discussions about
senior was me having discussions about the history of Malaysia and global
the history of Malaysia and global
the history of Malaysia and global politics with my senior from 8 o’clock
politics with my senior from 8 o’clock
politics with my senior from 8 o’clock at 9:00 until 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning
at 9:00 until 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning
at 9:00 until 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning and from there onward I slowly virtually
and from there onward I slowly virtually
and from there onward I slowly virtually moved into the more critical discussions
moved into the more critical discussions
moved into the more critical discussions from where I was before but from there
from where I was before but from there
from where I was before but from there onward I noticed that in order for me to
onward I noticed that in order for me to
onward I noticed that in order for me to pursue my passion which is debating and
pursue my passion which is debating and
pursue my passion which is debating and as soon as I found that passion I wanted
as soon as I found that passion I wanted
as soon as I found that passion I wanted to do a lot more
to do a lot more
to do a lot more I not only one win trophies and cash
I not only one win trophies and cash
I not only one win trophies and cash prizes as cool but not the best but I
prizes as cool but not the best but I
prizes as cool but not the best but I wanted to prove a point that someone
wanted to prove a point that someone
wanted to prove a point that someone from Malaysia can win international
from Malaysia can win international
from Malaysia can win international championships then someone who who once
championships then someone who who once
championships then someone who who once couldn’t speak English or was very
couldn’t speak English or was very
couldn’t speak English or was very ignorant
ignorant
ignorant could compete with the best in the world
could compete with the best in the world
could compete with the best in the world and in order for me to reach that end
and in order for me to reach that end
and in order for me to reach that end game I had to sacrifice a lot and a lot
game I had to sacrifice a lot and a lot
game I had to sacrifice a lot and a lot of my close friends will know this I
of my close friends will know this I
of my close friends will know this I read like so many newspapers every day
read like so many newspapers every day
read like so many newspapers every day and a highlight you know it’s very nerdy
and a highlight you know it’s very nerdy
and a highlight you know it’s very nerdy usually hide I just text books a
usually hide I just text books a
usually hide I just text books a highlight newspapers in which I’m
highlight newspapers in which I’m
highlight newspapers in which I’m blowing my own horn people call me the
blowing my own horn people call me the
blowing my own horn people call me the walking Wikipedia because like every
walking Wikipedia because like every
walking Wikipedia because like every time I on my phone reading the new
time I on my phone reading the new
time I on my phone reading the new articles I’m it’s not the best or
articles I’m it’s not the best or
articles I’m it’s not the best or sources but back them and you did enough
sources but back them and you did enough
sources but back them and you did enough much like just keep on reading it all
much like just keep on reading it all
much like just keep on reading it all when I wake up I read the BBC al Jazeera
when I wake up I read the BBC al Jazeera
when I wake up I read the BBC al Jazeera The Economist and then during lunch
The Economist and then during lunch
The Economist and then during lunch I’ll read local newspapers and at night
I’ll read local newspapers and at night
I’ll read local newspapers and at night I’ll do a nice one research topic on an
I’ll do a nice one research topic on an
I’ll do a nice one research topic on an important issue but that daily shadow of
important issue but that daily shadow of
important issue but that daily shadow of mine it’s not something which I only did
mine it’s not something which I only did
mine it’s not something which I only did drink my debate days I still do it today
drink my debate days I still do it today
drink my debate days I still do it today whenever I wake up in the morning
whenever I wake up in the morning
whenever I wake up in the morning besides checking what’s left which
besides checking what’s left which
besides checking what’s left which everyone does and obviously for Muslims
everyone does and obviously for Muslims
everyone does and obviously for Muslims in this my young football
but I still do my daily shadow of
but I still do my daily shadow of opening BBC al Jazeera and checking my
opening BBC al Jazeera and checking my
opening BBC al Jazeera and checking my apps because that will always be my
apps because that will always be my
apps because that will always be my source of knowledge but it was their
source of knowledge but it was their
source of knowledge but it was their journey which I took and it took me at
journey which I took and it took me at
journey which I took and it took me at least two or three years for me to
least two or three years for me to
least two or three years for me to slowly accustom myself to competitive
slowly accustom myself to competitive
slowly accustom myself to competitive debating and I started winning national
debating and I started winning national
debating and I started winning national championships and from international
championships and from international
championships and from international regional tournaments and from there
regional tournaments and from there
regional tournaments and from there onward moving to the wall platform the
onward moving to the wall platform the
onward moving to the wall platform the World Championship
World Championship
World Championship it was never an easy journey because
it was never an easy journey because
it was never an easy journey because throughout that process there was so
throughout that process there was so
throughout that process there was so much resistance just imagine a person
much resistance just imagine a person
much resistance just imagine a person who’s like a company I couldn’t speak
who’s like a company I couldn’t speak
who’s like a company I couldn’t speak much English and slowly starting to
much English and slowly starting to
much English and slowly starting to speak in English imagine what your car
speak in English imagine what your car
speak in English imagine what your car when you losing your friends back then
when you losing your friends back then
when you losing your friends back then you say like you are you kamusta da
you say like you are you kamusta da
you say like you are you kamusta da cunha can’t pass the pinata which is
cunha can’t pass the pinata which is
cunha can’t pass the pinata which is like you using the the language of the
like you using the the language of the
like you using the the language of the invaders in Malaya is a lot funnier that
invaders in Malaya is a lot funnier that
invaders in Malaya is a lot funnier that was one of the reasons my interface and
was one of the reasons my interface and
was one of the reasons my interface and again when I used to see you debates are
again when I used to see you debates are
again when I used to see you debates are ignorant and now I’m debating my friends
ignorant and now I’m debating my friends
ignorant and now I’m debating my friends go where you bloody hypocrite I mean yes
go where you bloody hypocrite I mean yes
go where you bloody hypocrite I mean yes I was stupid
I was stupid
I was stupid then now I’m J I’ve changed but from day
then now I’m J I’ve changed but from day
then now I’m J I’ve changed but from day I realized in just the same way how a
I realized in just the same way how a
I realized in just the same way how a senior of mine who’s not a world debater
senior of mine who’s not a world debater
senior of mine who’s not a world debater but someone’s very passionate can
but someone’s very passionate can
but someone’s very passionate can liberate me from the prison of ignorance
liberate me from the prison of ignorance
liberate me from the prison of ignorance I owe a duty to do the same to those
I owe a duty to do the same to those
I owe a duty to do the same to those around me and that’s why I disbelieve
around me and that’s why I disbelieve
around me and that’s why I disbelieve the notion that an individual is unable
the notion that an individual is unable
the notion that an individual is unable to bring change in your own respective
to bring change in your own respective
to bring change in your own respective ways that one person is merely one
ways that one person is merely one
ways that one person is merely one entity which cannot change your whole
entity which cannot change your whole
entity which cannot change your whole structure or whole system because if
structure or whole system because if
structure or whole system because if that one person and the senior of mine
that one person and the senior of mine
that one person and the senior of mine can change me why can’t I do the rest
can change me why can’t I do the rest
can change me why can’t I do the rest I’m here today because of what that
I’m here today because of what that
I’m here today because of what that person did because obviously of my
person did because obviously of my
person did because obviously of my parents and the passion which I took but
parents and the passion which I took but
parents and the passion which I took but that one person’s path that passion in
that one person’s path that passion in
that one person’s path that passion in me and from there on what I realized
me and from there on what I realized
me and from there on what I realized that I wanted to do a lot more in just
that I wanted to do a lot more in just
that I wanted to do a lot more in just the same way how debating liberated me
the same way how debating liberated me
the same way how debating liberated me from the prison of ignorance back then
from the prison of ignorance back then
from the prison of ignorance back then if you had met me back then it’s only
if you had met me back then it’s only
if you had met me back then it’s only ignorance I was ridiculously lazy I was
ignorance I was ridiculously lazy I was
ignorance I was ridiculously lazy I was a bigot when I say bigger in the worst
a bigot when I say bigger in the worst
a bigot when I say bigger in the worst of ways I’m sorry to the ladies but I
of ways I’m sorry to the ladies but I
of ways I’m sorry to the ladies but I mean in order for me to correct my past
mean in order for me to correct my past
mean in order for me to correct my past injustice I had I have to be honest
injustice I had I have to be honest
injustice I had I have to be honest about it back then to my sister and my
about it back then to my sister and my
about it back then to my sister and my car car I used to tell her that she must
car car I used to tell her that she must
car car I used to tell her that she must be a lady who knows how to cook
be a lady who knows how to cook
be a lady who knows how to cook everything she must be at home she
everything she must be at home she
everything she must be at home she cannot be a female leader because women
cannot be a female leader because women
cannot be a female leader because women can only and I’m sorry and I say that
can only and I’m sorry and I say that
can only and I’m sorry and I say that with a straight face I’m sorry that was
with a straight face I’m sorry that was
with a straight face I’m sorry that was me back then I also used to believe that
me back then I also used to believe that
me back then I also used to believe that people who do not share the same race
people who do not share the same race
people who do not share the same race and religion with me will go to hell for
and religion with me will go to hell for
and religion with me will go to hell for sure there is no hope for them that they
sure there is no hope for them that they
sure there is no hope for them that they are always subpar substandard and
are always subpar substandard and
are always subpar substandard and suboptimal in comparison to someone who
suboptimal in comparison to someone who
suboptimal in comparison to someone who share the same characteristics as me it
share the same characteristics as me it
share the same characteristics as me it was a painful experience exiting that
was a painful experience exiting that
was a painful experience exiting that that framework eventually I did it but
that framework eventually I did it but
that framework eventually I did it but then I noticed that I can’t be the only
then I noticed that I can’t be the only
then I noticed that I can’t be the only one if I’m privileged to exit that
one if I’m privileged to exit that
one if I’m privileged to exit that circumstance I must be able to share it
circumstance I must be able to share it
circumstance I must be able to share it with the rest
with the rest
with the rest and from there onward I no longer treat
and from there onward I no longer treat
and from there onward I no longer treat debating only as a competitive sport if
debating only as a competitive sport if
debating only as a competitive sport if I treated it as a lifestyle I treated it
I treated it as a lifestyle I treated it
I treated it as a lifestyle I treated it as the means to activate the activism
as the means to activate the activism
as the means to activate the activism inside of me from there onward I travel
inside of me from there onward I travel
inside of me from there onward I travel from one country to another and now I
from one country to another and now I
from one country to another and now I think it’s almost 30 countries where I
think it’s almost 30 countries where I
think it’s almost 30 countries where I teach debating and public speaking and
teach debating and public speaking and
teach debating and public speaking and youth activism and I always make it a
youth activism and I always make it a
youth activism and I always make it a point to go to countries where debating
point to go to countries where debating
point to go to countries where debating is not that prominent I still remember
is not that prominent I still remember
is not that prominent I still remember my trip to Pakistan some time last year
my trip to Pakistan some time last year
my trip to Pakistan some time last year and that was literally two weeks after
and that was literally two weeks after
and that was literally two weeks after the Peshawar bombing and when that
the Peshawar bombing and when that
the Peshawar bombing and when that happened obviously where my mom knew
happened obviously where my mom knew
happened obviously where my mom knew that I was traveling to pack his time I
that I was traveling to pack his time I
that I was traveling to pack his time I must like her arm you cannot go there if
must like her arm you cannot go there if
must like her arm you cannot go there if you go there you are sacrificing your
you go there you are sacrificing your
you go there you are sacrificing your life and me being the disobedient child
life and me being the disobedient child
life and me being the disobedient child which I still have not grown out from I
which I still have not grown out from I
which I still have not grown out from I only told my mum that I’m going when I’m
only told my mum that I’m going when I’m
only told my mum that I’m going when I’m on the flight said I love you MA and I
on the flight said I love you MA and I
on the flight said I love you MA and I said what’s that
said what’s that
said what’s that bye-bye and I think I know I’m there but
bye-bye and I think I know I’m there but
bye-bye and I think I know I’m there but I had to make sacrifices obviously
I had to make sacrifices obviously
I had to make sacrifices obviously because a lot of people sacrificed to
because a lot of people sacrificed to
because a lot of people sacrificed to get me to where I’m at today and from
get me to where I’m at today and from
get me to where I’m at today and from there onward taught debating and public
there onward taught debating and public
there onward taught debating and public speaking and from there or what I was
speaking and from there or what I was
speaking and from there or what I was hired as a lecturer also as a part-time
hired as a lecturer also as a part-time
hired as a lecturer also as a part-time debate trainer in my university in
debate trainer in my university in
debate trainer in my university in International Islamic University of
International Islamic University of
International Islamic University of Malaysia and there’s a very unique place
Malaysia and there’s a very unique place
Malaysia and there’s a very unique place and I can tell you this now because due
and I can tell you this now because due
and I can tell you this now because due to some hiccups along the way not
to some hiccups along the way not
to some hiccups along the way not necessarily my fault and now I cannot
necessarily my fault and now I cannot
necessarily my fault and now I cannot like change more in public universities
like change more in public universities
like change more in public universities but throughout that process I learned a
but throughout that process I learned a
but throughout that process I learned a lot of things for example I had to teach
lot of things for example I had to teach
lot of things for example I had to teach those who had the same mindset as me
those who had the same mindset as me
those who had the same mindset as me seven to eight years ago for example
seven to eight years ago for example
seven to eight years ago for example when I trained a person from Saudi
when I trained a person from Saudi
when I trained a person from Saudi Arabia that person will tell me studying
Arabia that person will tell me studying
Arabia that person will tell me studying how can I defend a topic by allowing
how can I defend a topic by allowing
how can I defend a topic by allowing women the same equal rights as men sorry
women the same equal rights as men sorry
women the same equal rights as men sorry how can I defend a topic which I’m not
how can I defend a topic which I’m not
how can I defend a topic which I’m not ideologically comfortable with but my
ideologically comfortable with but my
ideologically comfortable with but my answer is always the same I say that if
answer is always the same I say that if
answer is always the same I say that if you can still hold firm to your
you can still hold firm to your
you can still hold firm to your principles if it is right
principles if it is right
principles if it is right even after critically assessing both
even after critically assessing both
even after critically assessing both sides understanding it in a
sides understanding it in a
sides understanding it in a comprehensive fashion and yet in the end
comprehensive fashion and yet in the end
comprehensive fashion and yet in the end you still maintain that principle of
you still maintain that principle of
you still maintain that principle of yours that means you’re not following
yours that means you’re not following
yours that means you’re not following something blindly but you’re an informed
something blindly but you’re an informed
something blindly but you’re an informed voter you an informed person and from
voter you an informed person and from
voter you an informed person and from there on what you can move forward and
there on what you can move forward and
there on what you can move forward and that’s why I never ever force a person
that’s why I never ever force a person
that’s why I never ever force a person to change his viewpoints I always try my
to change his viewpoints I always try my
to change his viewpoints I always try my best to bring that person through the
best to bring that person through the
best to bring that person through the journey of self-discovery because I had
journey of self-discovery because I had
journey of self-discovery because I had to go to that journey if from this start
to go to that journey if from this start
to go to that journey if from this start I label the person as a bigger the
I label the person as a bigger the
I label the person as a bigger the racist of the sexist we don’t attempting
racist of the sexist we don’t attempting
racist of the sexist we don’t attempting to engage that person that means I will
to engage that person that means I will
to engage that person that means I will feel from the start to liberate the
feel from the start to liberate the
feel from the start to liberate the person or to at least bring that person
person or to at least bring that person
person or to at least bring that person on that journey or self-discovery and
on that journey or self-discovery and
on that journey or self-discovery and from there onward slowly hearts and
from there onward slowly hearts and
from there onward slowly hearts and minds are changed and from there onward
minds are changed and from there onward
minds are changed and from there onward I also realize that I cannot be the only
I also realize that I cannot be the only
I also realize that I cannot be the only one or the only debater who wants to
one or the only debater who wants to
one or the only debater who wants to treat the meeting as a platform for
treat the meeting as a platform for
treat the meeting as a platform for activism I also want to ensure that
activism I also want to ensure that
activism I also want to ensure that other debaters share the same spirit and
other debaters share the same spirit and
other debaters share the same spirit and passion as well and that’s why whenever
passion as well and that’s why whenever
passion as well and that’s why whenever I give talks like this or whenever I
I give talks like this or whenever I
I give talks like this or whenever I attend debate tournaments I always
attend debate tournaments I always
attend debate tournaments I always emphasize on the point the s debaters we
emphasize on the point the s debaters we
emphasize on the point the s debaters we all our moral duty and responsibility to
all our moral duty and responsibility to
all our moral duty and responsibility to assist those who are not given the same
assist those who are not given the same
assist those who are not given the same opportunities SS the debating is a lot
opportunities SS the debating is a lot
opportunities SS the debating is a lot more than debating about critical
more than debating about critical
more than debating about critical life-changing issues in the confines of
life-changing issues in the confines of
life-changing issues in the confines of the bedroom but debating is the
the bedroom but debating is the
the bedroom but debating is the lifestyle in which you carry out side of
lifestyle in which you carry out side of
lifestyle in which you carry out side of the debate room is something which we’re
the debate room is something which we’re
the debate room is something which we’re with you every single day
with you every single day
with you every single day even when you go to sleep I hope that’s
even when you go to sleep I hope that’s
even when you go to sleep I hope that’s not blasphemous to fear still religion
not blasphemous to fear still religion
not blasphemous to fear still religion is important to the point that I was
is important to the point that I was
is important to the point that I was well I have to be very cautious twice in
well I have to be very cautious twice in
well I have to be very cautious twice in all this this is one of it but from
all this this is one of it but from
all this this is one of it but from their own way I see this trend becoming
their own way I see this trend becoming
their own way I see this trend becoming a reality and in Malaysia I see a lot
a reality and in Malaysia I see a lot
a reality and in Malaysia I see a lot more people doing this and even I know
more people doing this and even I know
more people doing this and even I know even before me people are doing this by
even before me people are doing this by
even before me people are doing this by now I think alhamdulillah I give a
now I think alhamdulillah I give a
now I think alhamdulillah I give a national limelight but whenever that’s
national limelight but whenever that’s
national limelight but whenever that’s national limelight siowiy
national limelight siowiy
national limelight siowiy see I’m not the only one that’s why I
see I’m not the only one that’s why I
see I’m not the only one that’s why I feel a lot of other people around there
feel a lot of other people around there
feel a lot of other people around there I just like to share a few things
I just like to share a few things
I just like to share a few things specifically about Malaysia so even
specifically about Malaysia so even
specifically about Malaysia so even though there are those who say that
though there are those who say that
though there are those who say that debating is not our culture the bad
debating is not our culture the bad
debating is not our culture the bad become Buddha Akita
become Buddha Akita
become Buddha Akita but Malaysia has done a lot we have want
but Malaysia has done a lot we have want
but Malaysia has done a lot we have want world championships just recently the
world championships just recently the
world championships just recently the World Championship which I was elected
World Championship which I was elected
World Championship which I was elected as the chief adjudicator I didn’t appear
as the chief adjudicator I didn’t appear
as the chief adjudicator I didn’t appear or the chief adjudicator I’m glad to
or the chief adjudicator I’m glad to
or the chief adjudicator I’m glad to report that UiTM Shah aalam a university
report that UiTM Shah aalam a university
report that UiTM Shah aalam a university which is continuously condemned I’m not
which is continuously condemned I’m not
which is continuously condemned I’m not saying that they don’t have problems in
saying that they don’t have problems in
saying that they don’t have problems in structural reasons not saying that but
structural reasons not saying that but
structural reasons not saying that but in a way despite facing those
in a way despite facing those
in a way despite facing those circumstances two of the debaters from
circumstances two of the debaters from
circumstances two of the debaters from UiTM Shah aalam was ranked second in the
UiTM Shah aalam was ranked second in the
UiTM Shah aalam was ranked second in the world and it’s brilliant they took down
world and it’s brilliant they took down
world and it’s brilliant they took down the best of debaters from Oxford from
the best of debaters from Oxford from
the best of debaters from Oxford from Cambridge Yale Sydney mana and one of my
Cambridge Yale Sydney mana and one of my
Cambridge Yale Sydney mana and one of my students Amira Natasha Moore was ranked
students Amira Natasha Moore was ranked
students Amira Natasha Moore was ranked the best speaker in the world and it’s
the best speaker in the world and it’s
the best speaker in the world and it’s not just an isolated event there are so
not just an isolated event there are so
not just an isolated event there are so many cases this last year alone we broke
many cases this last year alone we broke
many cases this last year alone we broke the Asian record they broke my record as
the Asian record they broke my record as
the Asian record they broke my record as well by winning the Australasian
well by winning the Australasian
well by winning the Australasian championship they won the Cambridge the
championship they won the Cambridge the
championship they won the Cambridge the fastest but I know that these people in
fastest but I know that these people in
fastest but I know that these people in the end will not just stop when talking
the end will not just stop when talking
the end will not just stop when talking about debates and debate issues in
about debates and debate issues in
about debates and debate issues in debate rules but in the end I know that
debate rules but in the end I know that
debate rules but in the end I know that they will be your own activist even if
they will be your own activist even if
they will be your own activist even if you don’t choose to join politics in the
you don’t choose to join politics in the
you don’t choose to join politics in the end that discussion alone will reach out
end that discussion alone will reach out
end that discussion alone will reach out in areas which wouldn’t have reached out
in areas which wouldn’t have reached out
in areas which wouldn’t have reached out before and that to me what debating is
before and that to me what debating is
before and that to me what debating is really about it’s not only about winning
really about it’s not only about winning
really about it’s not only about winning trophies and the fun socials but abating
trophies and the fun socials but abating
trophies and the fun socials but abating is you engaging the journey of
is you engaging the journey of
is you engaging the journey of self-discovery you finding who you are
self-discovery you finding who you are
self-discovery you finding who you are what your principles truly are it’s also
what your principles truly are it’s also
what your principles truly are it’s also a journey in which you empower those who
a journey in which you empower those who
a journey in which you empower those who might not share the same privilege as
might not share the same privilege as
might not share the same privilege as you and I envision a future in which
you and I envision a future in which
you and I envision a future in which every single person is a debater and I
every single person is a debater and I
every single person is a debater and I always say this that debating is not
always say this that debating is not
always say this that debating is not only a and
only a and
only a and Club in Malaysia I’m very glad to say
Club in Malaysia I’m very glad to say
Club in Malaysia I’m very glad to say there’s not a Lee club you go to
there’s not a Lee club you go to
there’s not a Lee club you go to countryside Philippines the vast
countryside Philippines the vast
countryside Philippines the vast majority of debaters they are sons of
majority of debaters they are sons of
majority of debaters they are sons of millionaires and billionaires of rich
millionaires and billionaires of rich
millionaires and billionaires of rich lawyers etc but in Malaysia I think is
lawyers etc but in Malaysia I think is
lawyers etc but in Malaysia I think is still very much accessible to all
still very much accessible to all
still very much accessible to all classes of people but I hope that that
classes of people but I hope that that
classes of people but I hope that that sport and that culture can be expended
sport and that culture can be expended
sport and that culture can be expended today reach out to everyone because to
today reach out to everyone because to
today reach out to everyone because to me everyone is born a debater you don’t
me everyone is born a debater you don’t
me everyone is born a debater you don’t need to attend a debate club you don’t
need to attend a debate club you don’t
need to attend a debate club you don’t need to attend a debate competition in
need to attend a debate competition in
need to attend a debate competition in order for you to become a debater the
order for you to become a debater the
order for you to become a debater the point in which you believe in critical
point in which you believe in critical
point in which you believe in critical thinking you believe in the journey of
thinking you believe in the journey of
thinking you believe in the journey of self-discovery you love not only seeking
self-discovery you love not only seeking
self-discovery you love not only seeking you care about issues around you you
you care about issues around you you
you care about issues around you you want to empower and assist those who are
want to empower and assist those who are
want to empower and assist those who are under privileged to me that inherently
under privileged to me that inherently
under privileged to me that inherently the characteristics of a debater I’m
the characteristics of a debater I’m
the characteristics of a debater I’m sure each and every one of us would have
sure each and every one of us would have
sure each and every one of us would have had the difficult conversation of
had the difficult conversation of
had the difficult conversation of convincing our parents to do something
convincing our parents to do something
convincing our parents to do something me is convincing to my parents to allow
me is convincing to my parents to allow
me is convincing to my parents to allow me to play games back then but I was
me to play games back then but I was
me to play games back then but I was debating but obviously as I always like
debating but obviously as I always like
debating but obviously as I always like to stress once you are equipped with
to stress once you are equipped with
to stress once you are equipped with those skills the power of persuasion as
those skills the power of persuasion as
those skills the power of persuasion as my senior army has for once taught me
my senior army has for once taught me
my senior army has for once taught me never misuse it by joining the dark side
never misuse it by joining the dark side
never misuse it by joining the dark side of the force I mean if a Star Wars fan I
of the force I mean if a Star Wars fan I
of the force I mean if a Star Wars fan I am as well also like we like to use
am as well also like we like to use
am as well also like we like to use these references that’s why to me in the
these references that’s why to me in the
these references that’s why to me in the end
end
end if after going through that journey
if after going through that journey
if after going through that journey being equipped with the right skills and
being equipped with the right skills and
being equipped with the right skills and from there on what you misuse it for
from there on what you misuse it for
from there on what you misuse it for personal interest by backstabbing the
personal interest by backstabbing the
personal interest by backstabbing the very course in which you undertook at
very course in which you undertook at
very course in which you undertook at the beginning by putting people who are
the beginning by putting people who are
the beginning by putting people who are on the privilege in worst position by
on the privilege in worst position by
on the privilege in worst position by increasing a privilege I think that’s
increasing a privilege I think that’s
increasing a privilege I think that’s where the trouble lies but I think
where the trouble lies but I think
where the trouble lies but I think that’s when our community will check on
that’s when our community will check on
that’s when our community will check on one another to ensure that the very
one another to ensure that the very
one another to ensure that the very things which we learn will not be abused
things which we learn will not be abused
things which we learn will not be abused and that’s why I truly truly believe
and that’s why I truly truly believe
and that’s why I truly truly believe that no matter who we are where we are
that no matter who we are where we are
that no matter who we are where we are from what race and religion we subscribe
from what race and religion we subscribe
from what race and religion we subscribe to I mean what background we had to go
to I mean what background we had to go
to I mean what background we had to go through as long as you have the passion
through as long as you have the passion
through as long as you have the passion and the desire to achieve a goal which
and the desire to achieve a goal which
and the desire to achieve a goal which is conscionable I believe that anyone
is conscionable I believe that anyone
is conscionable I believe that anyone can succeed and anyone will be able to
can succeed and anyone will be able to
can succeed and anyone will be able to go to the junior self-discovery no
go to the junior self-discovery no
go to the junior self-discovery no matter how painful and tedious it is I
matter how painful and tedious it is I
matter how painful and tedious it is I will always remember where I stood that
will always remember where I stood that
will always remember where I stood that before what I did the wrongs which I
before what I did the wrongs which I
before what I did the wrongs which I have committed I made I might not be
have committed I made I might not be
have committed I made I might not be able to correct my past but what I can
able to correct my past but what I can
able to correct my past but what I can do is to ensure that the present and the
do is to ensure that the present and the
do is to ensure that the present and the future will be much better if every
future will be much better if every
future will be much better if every single action which I come in and I
single action which I come in and I
single action which I come in and I still say that today that I’m still
still say that today that I’m still
still say that today that I’m still imperfect no one else I still commit
imperfect no one else I still commit
imperfect no one else I still commit mistakes but throughout that process it
mistakes but throughout that process it
mistakes but throughout that process it is a conscious effort which I learned
is a conscious effort which I learned
is a conscious effort which I learned through debating which I’ll apply in my
through debating which I’ll apply in my
through debating which I’ll apply in my daily activity and I hope and I wish for
daily activity and I hope and I wish for
daily activity and I hope and I wish for those of you who hear me today you will
those of you who hear me today you will
those of you who hear me today you will engage on that journey despite not
engage on that journey despite not
engage on that journey despite not wanting to join the debate pile promote
wanting to join the debate pile promote
wanting to join the debate pile promote the debate club MMU for a bit but at
the debate club MMU for a bit but at
the debate club MMU for a bit but at least you start going to the edge in
least you start going to the edge in
least you start going to the edge in yourself discovery you start reading up
yourself discovery you start reading up
yourself discovery you start reading up on local and international issues you no
on local and international issues you no
on local and international issues you no longer shut your eyes and ears to
longer shut your eyes and ears to
longer shut your eyes and ears to concern some problems of bickerings of
concern some problems of bickerings of
concern some problems of bickerings of those around you but in the end we all
those around you but in the end we all
those around you but in the end we all go through the process of self-discovery
go through the process of self-discovery
go through the process of self-discovery discovery to become a global citizen
discovery to become a global citizen
discovery to become a global citizen because I personally and truly believe
because I personally and truly believe
because I personally and truly believe that being a debater or debating or that
that being a debater or debating or that
that being a debater or debating or that lifestyle which is debating is something
lifestyle which is debating is something
lifestyle which is debating is something which everyone is born with it’s only a
which everyone is born with it’s only a
which everyone is born with it’s only a matter of time when you will discover it
matter of time when you will discover it
matter of time when you will discover it and for me even though I’ve exited the
and for me even though I’ve exited the
and for me even though I’ve exited the competitive debate scene I’ll continue
competitive debate scene I’ll continue
competitive debate scene I’ll continue to teach I’ll continue to write I’ll
to teach I’ll continue to write I’ll
to teach I’ll continue to write I’ll continue to pursue the passion to ensure
continue to pursue the passion to ensure
continue to pursue the passion to ensure the privilege which I have now can be
the privilege which I have now can be
the privilege which I have now can be shed the rest of the world and I will
shed the rest of the world and I will
shed the rest of the world and I will always always remain a debater until I
always always remain a debater until I
always always remain a debater until I draw my final breath thank you very much
draw my final breath thank you very much
draw my final breath thank you very much [Applause]
”
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