PUTRAJAYA, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education’s (MOE) PETAH KPM competition serves as a platform to strengthen students’ proficiency in Bahasa Melayu and the English language through contests that hone communication skills, critical thinking and language proficiency.
Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia deputy rector Dr Zanariah Ibrahim said the programme was in line with the objectives of the Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language (MBMMBI) policy, which also emphasises fostering unity among the MOE community.
She said the four-day PETAH KPM 2026 programme, which began on Monday, had attracted participation not only from students but also teachers, lecturers, MOE officials and parents.
“Over these four days, I can see that we have achieved the objectives we set out to accomplish. PETAH KPM has received an encouraging response not only from students, officials, teachers and lecturers, but has also gained the support of parents.
“The programme serves not merely as a competition platform, but also showcases the proficiency of MOE personnel from various levels in language mastery, eloquence and the ability to articulate thoughts critically,” she told Bernama after the closing ceremony of PETAH KPM 2026 here today.
PETAH KPM 2026 is a strategic platform for implementing the MBMMBI policy holistically, emphasising the need for proficiency in both Bahasa Melayu and the English language to be developed in tandem to foster a culture of fluent and courteous communication across different ethnic groups.
A total of 16 language competitions, including debates, speech, public speaking and choral speaking, were held throughout the four days.
Dr Zanariah said improvements introduced this year included the addition of English debate, speech contests for primary and secondary school students, and public speaking competitions.
“PETAH KPM complements students’ achievements in classroom teaching and learning (PdP), while also providing a platform to showcase the outcomes of our language curriculum,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said the participation of students from Chinese national-type schools (SJKC) and Tamil national-type schools (SJKT) in competitions such as choral speaking and speech contests also reflected efforts to foster unity through language.
Dr Zanariah said this year’s PETAH KPM also provided students under the Special Education Integration Programme (PPKI) with an opportunity to showcase their talents through performances.
She said the opportunity was important in demonstrating that students with special educational needs also have the potential and abilities worthy of recognition, including in music, performance and communication.
“They also have their own abilities and intellectual potential. Sometimes, these students (under PPKI) can speak eloquently even if their academic performance is moderate. We can see their fluency in speaking and other abilities that can help achieve the objectives of the MBMMBI policy,” she said.
Themed ‘Seni Berbahasa Wahana Perpaduan MADANI’ (The Art of Communicating as a Medium of MADANI Unity), PETAH KPM underscores the role of language as the soul of a nation, a tool for uniting society and a means of nurturing a knowledgeable, courteous and creative generation grounded in MADANI values.
The PETAH KPM initiative serves as a practical catalyst for realising the aspirations of the Malaysia Education Plan 2026-2035 by shaping students’ character through courteous speech, while stimulating critical and creative thinking through expression and well-reasoned arguments.
It also aims to strengthen global communication literacy through mastery of grammar and impeccable articulation, with the goal of nurturing well-rounded and competitive individuals capable of excelling on the international stage.
-- BERNAMA