Anwar: PM’s Cup debate nurtures confident, critical young minds

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — The Prime Minister’s Cup Debate Competition is more than a platform for testing debating skills, serving an important role in developing young people who are confident in speaking up, think critically, and respect differing views, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

In a Facebook post, the prime minister said the competition continues the legacy of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein by providing young people with a platform to test their courage, deepen their knowledge and sharpen their debating skills.

“More than just a competition, it provides a space for young people to learn how to organise their thoughts, defend their positions and, at the same time, respect differing views,” he said.

Anwar said he had the opportunity to meet the finalists of the 51st edition of the competition after today’s Cabinet meeting, ahead of the grand final scheduled to be held at Multimedia University in Cyberjaya tomorrow.

He said he was impressed by the participants’ awareness of current developments, as well as their courage in raising questions and critically examining various issues.

Anwar said a healthy democracy was not only about having the courage to speak up, but also the willingness to listen and respect differences.

He also advised the finalists to debate firmly, confidently and respectfully, arguing without hatred and disagreeing without hostility.

The Prime Minister’s Cup Debate Competition was first held in 1974 at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar in Perak.

It was introduced as part of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s vision to nurture dynamic, intelligent, and capable future leaders among students at fully residential schools. — Bernama