(From left) Emilia Muhd Arif, Brandon Ling and Nabil Ersyad Mohd Noor Eddie Putra will represent the country at the Asean Quiz Competition 2012 in Cambodia in August
KUALA LUMPUR: Three fifth formers will play the role of young ambassadors when they represent Malaysia at the Asean Quiz Competition 2012 in Cambodia in August
The trio, who topped the national-level Asean quiz finals on Tuesday, displayed an in-depth knowledge of various topics on Asean countries during the competition, held in Angkasapuri.
Classmates Brandon Ling and Emilia Muhd Arif of SMK Methodist Sibu, Sarawak, and Nabil Ersyad Mohd Noor Eddie Putra of Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah in Putrajaya emerged as champion, first and second runners-up respectively.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, in his closing speech, expressed confidence that the three students would shine at the competition in Cambodia.
"As our young ambassadors, I am sure they will help promote the country at the competition, which is part of a programme to promote Asean among youth."
Rais' speech was read by his deputy, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.
The competition, open to students aged between 15 and 17, aims to inculcate the reading habit and cultivate their interest in general knowledge, especially on Asean countries.
It is organised by the Asean Committee on Culture and Information -- a body under the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (Amri).
At a meeting last February, Amri members had agreed to establish a blueprint to promote Asean in their respective countries.
"Over the past decades, member countries have strengthened their ties in the social, cultural and economic sectors.
"Yet, many of us are not that knowledgeable about Asean and what it really stands for," Rais said.
He added that Malaysia had gained many benefits in various fields through its close partnership and cooperation with Asean members.
Rais said the quiz, themed "Unity in Diversity", had also helped promote better understanding on the roles and functions of Asean.
"It allows students to gain information on current and regional issues and developments of member countries.
"This programme helps cultivate the interest on Asean among the younger generation."
Speaking to reporters later, Salang said wider broadband penetration and Internet accessibility had helped to double the number of contestants from schools nationwide.
This year, about 7,700 students took part in the competition -- an increase of 150 per cent compared with the last competition in 2009.
Fifteen semi-finalists were picked from various states where they had to answer a set of objective, subjective and essay questions online. From there, five finalists made their way to the national-level duel.
Here, the competition comprised two segments where a finalist chose questions based on five categories in the first segment and compete to answer the most number of questions within 20 minutes in a rapid question segment.
The questions were based on politics, economy, social awareness, science, technology and environment, and history.
Ling took home RM2,500 while Emilia and Nabil won RM 1,500 and RM1,000 respectively. They also received trophies and certificates.
Fourth and fifth placing went to Kimberly Rose Yu-Zhu Guo of SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang, and R. Sharveenie from SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Baru, who received RM750, a plaque and certificate each.
The remaining 10 semi-finalists received RM300, a plaque and certificate each.
31 May 2012 New Striats Times
