UTAR Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of Sungai Long Campus organised “Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2019” in conjunction with Bulan Akademia from 17 to 18 October 2019 at Sungai Long Campus with the aim to strengthen and exhibit the identity and image of Malaysia and to provide a platform for students and staff to master Bahasa Melayu. It also aimed to promote national unity through the national language.

Present at the opening ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Ketua Bahagian Pembinaan Bakat dan Kepakaran Jabatan Pengembangan Bahasa dan Sastera Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Saifullizan bin Yahaya, DSA Head Loh Nyuk Loong, Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2019 Programme Chairperson Norazilah Adnan, students and staff.

Prof Ewe said in his welcome speech, “In conjunction with the Bulan Akademia in October, the Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2019 themed ‘Segalanya Bermula Di Sini' is one of the programmes organised by UTAR. It aimed at nurturing interest and inculcating a love for the national language as well as promoting the diversity of languages. The language belongs to us Malaysians. I would like to emphasise here that we as Malaysians are very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn various languages ​​and at the same time respect and honour the national language. Therefore, I hope that the Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2019 will be able to inject some sense of pride and responsibility among UTAR and other participants as they learn about the uniqueness of the language.”

Safullizan said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to UTAR for assembling here to celebrate the Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2019. Starting from this year, the Karnival Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan will be called Karnival Gerakan Dekad Bahasa Kebangsaan. May this event continue to empower the national language with activities that engage the whole community including students with the theme ‘Language of the Nation’. We thank you for your commitment. This close collaboration will continue in the future as a way to showcase our nation’s image.”

Soo Kai Ze said, “I use our national language because it makes me feel closer to a person. I believe that using our national language in our daily conversation will increase unity among Malaysians. I urge all Malaysians regardless of races to practice using Bahasa Malaysia so that we can be fluent in it. For those who are not fluent, do not be afraid and continue to do your best.”

Several competitions were held in conjunction with the carnival such as Malay Songs Singing Competition, Poetry Composting Competition, Poetry Recital Competition and language-wise quizzes. The carnival also featured booths from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, UTAR library and reading corners. 

The first prize winner for each category won a plaque with a certificate of participation, while the second prize and third prize winners walked away with plaques and certificates of participation each. All participants took home certificates of participation.

The winners:

“Bijak Bahasa” Quiz  
First Prize: A. Abraham Sesupillai and S. Punitha
Second Prize: Goh Guang Yang and Hoo Wei Yean
Third Prize: M. Nivashini and M. Rathi Maalar

Poetry Composing Competition
First Prize: Muhammad Sallehudin Bin Mohamed Sidek
Second Prize: K. Kumutha
Third Prize: Noor Hazreena binti Noor Izahar

Malay Songs Singing Competition
First Prize: Nor Ikmal Bin Kutubujin with the song titled “Usang”
Second Prize: Mohd Hanis bin Nazli with the song titled “Embun”
Third Prize: Nazmi bin Razali with the song titled “Permata Cinta”

Poem Recitation
First Prize: Hairati binti Ms Sahak with her poem titled “Segalanya Di Sini”
Second Prize: Nur Halimaton Salidiah binti Harun with her poem titled “Hujan Merdeka”
Third Prize: Habibah binti Dahali with her poem titled “Bahasa Kita”