ALOR STAR: In a stunning upset, a debate team from SMK Jitra near here clinched the Debat Malaya trophy against Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
The secondary school team also managed to defeat the Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Segamat, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) teams on their way to the finals of the Bahasa Malaysia open debate competition.
SMK Jitra also beat Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah, Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang, and SM Sains Alam Shah.
According to the Majlis Orator Universiti Malaya official Instagram page, SMK Jitra defeated Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah in the semi-final before beating UUM in the final round held yesterday at Kompleks Auditorium Perdanasiswa, in UM.
The all-girl SMK Jitra team, comprising Kyrienna Maisara, Siti Nabilah Syakirah, and Sharifah Dhuha Armeyya, brought home RM5,000 cash prize, along with the winner's trophy.
Nabilah also clinched the best final rounds debater award along with a RM500 cash prize.
Meanwhile, UUM debate team member Faris Daniel Rizal, said:
"The narrow defeat, decided by a margin of one with five judges against four, left us satisfied as we provided strong competition and thoroughly discussed the issue given.
"We are happy for their (SMK Jitra) win as it will add value for them in the future, especially when entering university. Congratulations to them, they deserved the win," he added.