Essay contest to promote unity

PETALING JAYA: Young Malaysians are invited to express their ideas on national unity and moderation and win a share of RM10,000 in cash prizes.

They must pen their thoughts and hopes on “Promoting National Unity and Moderation” for Malaysia@60 in not more than 1,000 words for an essay contest held in conjunction with the country’s 60th National Day.

The competition is jointly organised by Star Media Group and the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli).

“We need to allow the younger generation to articulate their aspirations, concerns and suggestions for the future of Malaysia as we head towards 2050,” said Star Media Group’s group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Asli CEO Tan Sri Michael Yeoh in a joint statement.

Wong said that encouraging students to take part to show their love for Malaysia@60, and demonstrating their creativity and English writing skills was also part of the group’s ongoing efforts to promote moderation.

Open to all Malaysian students from ages 16 to 22 who are registered in a school or college/ university, the essays will have to be written in English and are limited to 1,000 words.

The Star will publish the winning essays while Asli will be giving RM10,000 worth of cash prizes.

For the college or university category, the first prize is RM3,000 while that for the second and third places are RM2,000 and RM1,000.

First prize winners for secondary school students is RM1,500, followed by RM1,000 (second prize) and RM500 (third prize).

The essays should be submitted to the Essay Competition Secretariat in Asli at No. 1718, Jalan Ledang, off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, 50480 Kuala Lumpur before Sept 15, the eve of Malaysia Day.