Malay Cultural Society
josephian annual 2012 1852-2012 87
Walking down memory lane of Malay Cultural Society with two of our present teachers are Old Boys of SJI ; Mr Azhar Ghazali and Mr Alfred Nathan . After conducting two interviews with Mr Azhar Ghazali and Mr Alfred Nathan , members of MCS from 1976 to 1979 , we have received valuable input on the state of MCS in the past . Both noted that MCS was previously known as the “ Malay Language Society ”, and that it was open to all students taking Malay and MT was by choice so “ there were many students of other races also in the CCA .” As a CCA , members participated in many events like the Culture Festival , Pesta Budaya , held at Katong Convent and the Oratorical Contest in SJI . They also took part in debate and sepak takraw competitions . Meetings were held only when necessary meaning “ there were no weekly-scheduled meetings .” The differences they mentioned between MCS now and then would be that English now has a larger influence on the society and that its members are mainly made up of Malays partially due to the presence of the other cultural societies . MCS was “ not academically-inclined ” and was a “ good chance for me to interact with members from other levels and schools ,” said Mr Ghazali . Mr
Nathan also remarked that “ it was gratifying to have joined the CCA as it helps whenever I visit Malaysia on school trips as well as helped me gain confidence for my Malay Oral Examination ”.
National Debate Competition The Malay Cultural Society ( MCS ) participated in many significant events among which is the yearly National Debate competition . In July , in conjunction with ‘ Bulan Bahasa ’ ( Malay Language Month ), SJI sent a team of five debaters to take part in the Piala Berita Harian National Debate Competition . Under the guidance of their teachers , our hard work paid off when SJI won the quarter-finals against Dunearn Secondary School with our very own debater , Muhamad Firas Ardani ( 436 ), winning the Best Speaker Award . SJI then proceeded and triumphed over Tanjong Katong Girls ’ School in the semi-finals with Bernardus Christianto ( 435 ), winning the Best Speaker Award . This secured our position in the finals against competition favourite , Kranji Secondary School . Luck was probably not on our side . Despite the hard fight , SJI emerged as first runner-up with 2 Bernardus Christianto once again ,
winning the Best Speaker Award . Other than the runner-up trophy , each debater received a medal , a certificate and a zen style m300 mp3 player . The debaters were :
1 ) |
Ahmad Zaki Bin Yazid |
303 |
2 ) |
Muhamad Firas Ardani Bin Muhamad Rafi |
436 |
3 ) |
Hans Toby Limanto |
305 |
4 ) |
Bernardus Christianto |
435 |
5 ) |
Mohammad Nadhir Qidran Bin Nadzaruddin |
311 |
1 The esteemed judges of the Oratorical Content listening intently to the speakers . 2 The Committee members of the Malay Language Society in 1979 . 3 Mr Ghazali giving his welcome speech at the Oratorical Contest that the committee organised in 1979 . 4 The Dance item performed by Katong Convent girls during the intermission of the Oratorical Contest .
5 Members of the SJI stage crew at Katong Convent ’ s Cultural Festival . 6 The audience of the Oratorical Contest included girls from neighbouring Methodist Girls School , among others .
7 The opening of the Oratorical Contest in front of a rapt audience in the Old SJI school hall .
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