UTM’s Korean Lecturer Stands Out as Sole International Judge in Prestigious Pidato Antarabangsa Bahasa Melayu (PABM)

Myoung Sook Kang

GEORGTOWN, 5 Nov. – The Public Speaking Competition in Bahasa Melayu (Pidato Antarabangsa Bahasa Melayu – PABM) was held on November 4, 2023, at Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Dr. Kang Myoung Sook, a native Korean and senior lecturer from the Language Academy, served as the sole non-Malay judge in the final round of this international event. She is well-known for her active role in promoting the Malay language and has dedicated more than 20 years to serving as an interpreter and translator in Korean-Malay-English.

The competition was inaugurated by The Minister of Higher Education, YB Datuk Seri Khalid Nordin. With the theme “Memartabatkan Citra dan kedaulatan Bahasa Melayu” (Dignifying the Image and Sovereignty of the Malay Language), the competition comprised three categories: Alam Melayu (Malay Kingdom), International, and International Students in Malaysia. Participants from seven countries, including Malaysia, Brunei, Uzbekistan, China, Bangladesh, Sudan, and Timor-Leste, were involved.

“We aim to promote Malay as a superior language – the language of knowledge that facilitates discussions on significant and exciting ideas,” stated YB Minister to the audience.

In the Alam Melayu category, Muhammad Mukhlisul Mubin bin Julasapiyah from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia emerged as the champion. In the International Category (Higher Education Institution abroad), Gulzoda Utkurova from Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies (TSUOS), Uzbekistan, was crowned the champion. Meanwhile, the International Student in Malaysia category, open to international students at local universities, was won by Carla Goncalves de Oliveira Sarmento, a Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student from Timor-Leste.

In a Facebook post, Dr. Kang expressed her gratitude to the competition organizers for inviting her to judge for the second time. Almost a decade had passed since her last participation in 2014, and this return opportunity was a rare one. It was also a golden moment for her to meet prominent figures in the field. “This is indeed a special and unforgettable memory,” Dr. Kang wrote in her post.

<The judges looking smart and elegantly attired in traditional garments, the author is third from left>

The winners of each category received a cash prize of RM10,000 along with a round trophy and accompanying trophy. The runners-up were awarded RM8,000 in cash, while third-place winners received RM5,000.