DEVELOPING CREATIVITY: Perdana, Maybank essay competition cultivates talent
PUTRAJAYA: YOUNG writers yesterday were recognised and feted after they had won in their categories at the Perdana Leadership Foundation and Maybank Foundation Essay Competition 2012.The competition, with the theme "Shaping the Nation: Our Rights and Responsibilities as Malaysian Citizens", was supported by the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, presented awards to more than 30 winners, aged between 13 and 25, in four categories.
Siti Hasmah said technology had evolved and had grown to include a vast amount of medium in which writing was made possible.
"Writing is no longer a simple affair involving a pen and paper. It can now include computers, tablets and other gadgets.
"It plays an important role in today's world and it is important for students to harness this new outlet and expand their writing platform."
She said new technology could become a catalyst for youth to contribute their ideas and energy to building and shaping the nation.
The competition, which is held biennially since 2006, has introduced a new category for writers: the blogposts category.
The blogposts category winner for most popular entry went to Nur Firzanah Mohd Kamil, 19, from Kolej Teknologi Timur Sepang.
She said she used the Internet to reach out to others and inspire them with her writing. "I am a shy person. But writing a blog has allowed me to improve my communication skills, express my feelings and develop my creativity."
Her article was shared on Facebook and had received 520 likes, which clinched her the award for most liked and most popular blogpost.
The grand prize winners for essay writing in category A (13 to 17 years), was won by Cassandra Law Yen Li and Jamie Kok Yi Xin of Sri Cempaka School.
Law, 17, said her article had touched on the responsibilities that Malaysians had on the Internet.
"Nowadays, technology has allowed us to increase our accessibility to information and networking, and it is even more evident as we have just gone through the election.
"However, Malaysians must also be responsible for what they write on the Internet and understand their roles."
Each received RM2,000, an e-book reader from MPH, a RM300 MPH book voucher, an iPad, a trophy and a certificate.
Tun
Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali (third from right) with category A winners
of the Perdana Leadership Foundation and Maybank Foundation Essay
Competition 2012 in Putrajaya yesterday. Pic by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor
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