KUALA SELANGOR, June 22 — The 2026 Menteri Besar Selangor Cup Debate (Debat Piala Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor 2026) continues to serve as an important platform for nurturing knowledgeable, critical-thinking youths and university students who are confident in expressing their views on current issues.
State executive councillor for unity Datuk Rizam Ismail, who delivered a speech on behalf of Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, said the competition aligns with the state government's efforts to strengthen quality human capital development, particularly among the younger generation.
“The state government remains committed to empowering quality human capital development, especially among youths and university students, who are regarded as strategic assets for the state and the nation,” he said at the closing ceremony of the competition at the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) here yesterday.
According to him, university students today are no longer assessed solely based on academic achievement, but also on their ability to think critically, solve problems and interact effectively in diverse environments.
“The ability of young people to think critically, solve problems and communicate their views effectively will determine the direction of the country's development in the future,” he said.
He added that participation in intellectual and competitive programmes such as debating can help shape capable, confident students who are able to become agents of change for society, the state and the nation.
Rizam said the competition also supports the state government's aspiration to encourage freedom of expression among university students through the theme ‘Students' Voices Shape Selangor's Fure’ (Suara Mahasiswa Mencorak Masa Hadapan Selangor), aimed at producing holistic and competitive graduates.
Meanwhile, the competition’s chief adjudicator Mohd Nazri Noh said the fourth edition of the competition attracted 52 teams from 20 public and private universities nationwide.
He said the British parliamentary format used in the competition provided participants with opportunities to debate various issues related to Selangor while presenting their views on the state's policies and current challenges.
“The debate culture at universities is already strong, and institutions see it as a necessity in developing outstanding personalities among students for the future. Their confidence in presenting ideas and arguments can help us build policies,” he said.
Mohd Nazri, who is also chairman of the STDC board of directors, said the competition also provided participants with opportunities to build networks and deepen their understanding of state issues and policies.
Faris Daniel Rizal Zainorrizal, 23, who was awarded best debater in the finals, said the competition had boosted young people's confidence in expressing their views, particularly on issues that affect society.
“This debate increases confidence among youths because sometimes we have opinions but lack the platform to voice them.
“The MB Selangor Cup is a good platform, and I am happy to use it as a platform for Selangor youths to discuss issues affecting the state,” he said.
The final-year Bachelor of Laws student at Universiti Utara Malaysia said one of the main challenges of the competition was that participants were given the debate topic only 30 minutes before the session began.
“We cannot prepare in advance. It really tests our ability to find facts, conduct research and formulate questions. Thankully, we managed to overcome that challenge together,” he said.
His teammate, Muhammad Tirmizi Rabidin, 23, also expressed gratitude after their team progressed from the quarter-finals to the final before being crowned champions.
“Thanks to God, we won the quarter-final, semi-final and finally succeeded in reaching and winning the final today,” he said.
The pair were crowned champions of the Debat Piala Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor 2026 and took home RM8,000 in cash, along with certificates of achievement and trophies.
The runners-up title went to Universiti Teknologi MARA, which received RM5,000, certificates and trophies, while Universiti Teknologi Petronas finished third and won RM2,000, certificates and trophies.
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin placed fourth and received RM1,000, certificates and trophies.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Haries Husni from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan was named Overall Best Debater and received RM300 in cash along with a trophy.
