DEBATE platforms play an important role in shaping young people’s mindset and preparing them to become future leaders, says Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) general manager Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof.
Edry, who represented Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, said debate competitions help students develop critical thinking and the ability to analyse issues logically.
He was speaking during the opening ceremony of the two-day 1st ‘Greatech Cup’ Interest Debate Penang Primary School Chinese Debate Competition 2026 held in Komtar yesterday (March 14).
Edry said regardless of whether policies are expressed in English, Malay, Mandarin or Tamil, the logic behind them remains the same.
“Logic has only one language. A policy remains the same regardless of the language it is expressed in,” he said.
He noted that society today is shaped by instant communication through mobile phones and social media, which often leads to quick reactions.
“We live in an era of instant news and instant responses. People tend to react first before reflecting,” he said.
Because of this, he said debate programmes are important in helping students develop what he described as their “civic muscle”.
“They learn how to think, compare arguments and seek the truth. These are important virtues we hope to cultivate among our children,” he added.
Encouraging the participants, he reminded them that debating is not merely about competition but also about preparing themselves as future leaders.
“Some of you may one day debate in Parliament, in boardrooms or in community halls. Each of you can become the voice of your community,” he said.
Among those present were Penang Education Department Student Talent Development Unit assistant director Baidura Yaakob, language assistant director of the department’s learning sector Lee Meei Shan, representatives from the Malaysian Chinese Language Council Loo Chee Khoon, Lee Sek Yui and Ng Shei Kwee, organising committee chairman and Interest Debate president Loo Fang Ting, and Penang Chinese School Teachers’ Association general manager Foo Chai Fong.
A total of 12 schools took part in the competition, namely SJK (C) Chung Hwa I, SJK (C) Chong Teik, SJK (C) Perempuan China, SJK (C) Kwang Hwa (Butterworth), SJK (C) Kong Min Cawangan Dua, SJK (C) Shang Wu, SJK (C) True Light, SJK (C) Boon Beng, SJK (C) Hun Bin, SJK (C) Chung Shan, SJK (C) Kwang Hwa (Sungai Nibong) and SJK (C) Jit Sin B.
The competition brought together students from Chinese primary schools across Penang to showcase their debating skills while fostering critical thinking and confidence among young participants.
Story by Edmund Lee