KOTA SAMARAHAN: Tini ak Numpang, who represented Kuching/Samarahan Division, is the champion in the state-level ‘My Country’ Pidato competition with the Pidato titled ‘Merdeka Untukmu Malaysia’.
He received cash prize of RM1,500, a trophy and a certificate; and will represent Sarawak at the national level Pidato to be held in Negeri Sembilan in August, after defeating seven other contestants in the final yesterday.
Second place winner Laura Lunna ak Ranggau, who represented Miri/Bintulu, walked away with RM1,000, a trophy and a certificate while third placed Nursyirwan Adil Jamali (Sibu/Mukah), received RM500, a trophy and a certificate.
Meanwhile, officiating at the competition organised by the Information Department at the Teacher Education Institute Tun Abdul Razak Campus in Kota Samarahan yesterday, Member of Parliament for Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang said the competiton was aimed at instilling patriotism among the people of various ages in the state.
She requested the programme be regualrly organised for the grassroots level so that the spirit of patriotism among the people would always be strong.
According to her, it is also indirectly to deliver knowledge and information to the public about government policies and programmes.
“The Pidato competition organised annually by the Department of Information Malaysia becomes the agent to instil in the people the sense of love for the nation,” she said.
She also praised the efforts made by the Information Department in improving the programme which is held every year.
“For me, this kind of Pidato competition is good enough as a platform to provide information, in line with the rapid progress of the nation today,” she said.
She said advance in technology at the time caused a variety of information could be obtained more quickly.
“This is the right time for us to change in line with the technology to remain competitive in order not to be left behind,” she explained.
According to Rubiah, in line today’s advancement, the state government has set aside RM1 billion for the development of information and communication technology (ICT) in Sarawak.
“The Information Department is also making the dissemination of information on government policies easier for the people to understand,” she said.
Also present were the state director of Information Abang Sardon Abang Hashim and Samarahan Special Branch head ASP Mohd Ibrahim Jalaluddin.
