Debate Competitions Identify Potential Leaders and Foster Critical Thinking Skills
- nabalunews
- 7 minutes ago
- 5 min read
23 August 2025
KOTA KINABALU: Debate competitions play a crucial role in nurturing critical thinking and leadership among the youth in Sabah. Aiming to cultivate young minds capable of critical analysis, confident argumentation grounded in facts, and building a robust intellectual network for the development of the nation, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Trophy 2025 was held over two days. It was organised by the UPKO International Communication Bureau, headed by Rowindy Lawrence, in collaboration with UPKO Youth and the ‘Persatuan Literasi Dasar dan Diplomasi Sabah’.
The debate, titled “Belia Berprinsip, Sabah Progresif”, attracted participation from a total of 40 students within ten teams, representing various institutions including Universiti Malaysia Sabah, UiTM, and other higher education establishments, as well as upper secondary students.
One of the participants, Fickry Danish Sukati, 21, a Business Marketing student at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and a passionate debater since the age of 13, shared his journey and growth through debating. He achieved second place in a Malay debate at the state level with the Best Speaker award and was a runner-up representing Papar in the 2019 Parliamentary Cup. He highlighted how debates, conducted under SOPs, foster research, critical thinking, and understanding of current issues.
While seeing debating as a hobby rather than a career, he believes it offers valuable lessons for real-world application and societal contribution. Fickry aims to empower youth and emphasises continuous self-improvement, confident that debate can help him make a meaningful societal impact in the future.
Another participant, Siti Nur Hiqmah Teong Thin, 21, from Pasir Putih, Putatan, majoring in Entrepreneurship at UMS, admitted that she felt very nervous, saying, "I'm not confident in speaking, so if someone asks me now, I might not be able to answer properly."
Despite feeling uncertain and lacking confidence in subjects like economics and politics, she acknowledged the importance of continuous learning and expressed a desire to improve and gain more confidence over time. She was optimistic about future participation, hoping to become better, and recognised that engaging in discussions and debates helps build knowledge, critical thinking, and personal growth. Her honest reflections highlight how such activities are valuable for fostering development and preparing for future opportunities.
Muhamad Haiqal Hakimi Diun, 21, majoring in Entrepreneurship at UMS and from Kg Meruntum, Lok Kawi, said, “Participating in the debate organised by UPKO has been a valuable experience that has significantly enhanced my general knowledge. The topics discussed during the event were future-focused, highlighting issues vital for the country's development. This indicates that the organisers, UPKO, genuinely care about the nation’s future and are actively encouraging young minds to engage with pressing societal challenges.”
“Many of the debates focused on the future workforce and the key drivers of national progress, emphasising the importance of nurturing the next generation into future leaders, especially in areas like language and leadership skills. Through this experience, I not only learned about these critical topics but also gained insights into how debates function independently—articulating arguments, responding to counterpoints, and engaging in constructive discourse. This skill set is invaluable for real-life situations, particularly when entering the workforce.”
“For example, one discussion centred on salary reforms, proposing a shift from a fixed minimum wage to a progressive wage system based on skills, education, and productivity. We, as graduates, believe such a system would better reflect individual contributions and motivate continuous learning. Participating in this debate has reinforced my confidence in voicing my opinions and defending my ideas, even when nervous. Overall, it has strengthened my belief in the importance of critical discussions about our country's future and motivated me to further develop these skills to make a positive societal impact.”
Participant Ashelza Asybel Peter, 19, Pusat Tingkatan Enam (PUSTEM) Limbanak from Penampang, shared that platforms like this are invaluable for young people to voice their opinions and engage with current issues affecting the country.
She highlighted that the debate provided an excellent opportunity for youths like herself to strengthen their stances and better understand the complexities of societal matters. "It’s good for young people like us to support our stance so that we can learn about current issues and understand what is happening in the country," she explained.
During her participation, she learned about the reasons behind policies and decisions through the debate process, which involves both supporting and opposing teams. She highlighted that this experience helps her see both the advantages and disadvantages of different views, broadening her perspective and encouraging critical thinking.
She expressed gratitude to UPKO for organising the event, emphasising that without such opportunities, young people wouldn’t gain insights into current issues. She shared her enthusiasm, noting that it was her first time competing in an open cup against university students, who were older than her. She was excited and proud to have participated, especially since her team won some matches.
Chan Pui Yun, 19, also from PUSTEM Limbanak, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the debate. Reflecting on her experience, she highlighted the significance of the event in showcasing Sabah’s hidden talents and intellectuals.
“There are many talented and intelligent young people in Sabah who often go unrecognised and undiscovered,” she remarked, adding that the debate provided a valuable platform for young voices to express their ideas and demonstrate their potential, fostering a sense of pride and motivation among participants.
Her involvement also marked a personal milestone, as it was her first time debating in Malay, having previously only participated in English debates. Despite initial nerves, she found the experience eye-opening and enriching. “It was very nerve-wracking but also very enlightening for me as an English debater,” she said. Looking ahead, she expressed enthusiasm for future participation, stating, “I am 100% sure I will join again if there’s another debate like this. I want to sharpen my skills and become a future leader.” Her ambition is to contribute to Sabah’s development, aiming to influence the future of her homeland through political engagement and leadership.
She shared her desire to make a difference in Sabah’s future, hoping to do so in her own way by learning more about politics. Meanwhile, her educational ambitions include attending the Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM), where she hopes to study. Her goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Business, further equipping herself to serve her community and achieve her dreams.
Chin Guan Rong, 22, a law student at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, emphasised the importance of involving young people in national policy debates during a recent discussion event. Chin, who hails from Tamparuli, shared that this was only his second experience participating in a debate competition but is committed to encouraging more youth-led discussions on critical issues.
He believes that platforms like this provide vital opportunities for young Malaysians to voice their opinions on policies and societal challenges. "In Sabah, we need more events like this so young people can speak about policies, energy issues, corruption, and other important topics," he said. He also highlighted the importance of hearing youth perspectives not only within political circles but also among peers, stressing that many issues affecting youth today remain undiscussed.
Chin demonstrated confidence in applying the knowledge gained through such debates to real-life situations. He noted that engaging with diverse teams enhanced his understanding of different viewpoints, especially on complex legal topics. He expressed hope that more political parties and organisations in Sabah would organise similar discussions, believing that these initiatives are crucial for fostering informed youth participation in nation-building. "More parties should arrange activities like this, not just for young people but also to encourage politicians to engage in meaningful dialogue," he added.
The voices shared during the debate emphasises the importance of empowering Sabah’s youth and nurturing their talents to build a brighter future for the state.
The Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also the President of UPKO, officiated at the closing ceremony of the UPKO President Trophy 2025 Debate.
During the event, he praised the organisers for hosting a well-executed competition and congratulated all the participants for their insightful arguments, and impressive performance.
