SINTOK, 27 October 2025 – Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) Team A emerged as the champion of the Prime Minister’s Cup Integrity Premier Debate (DPIPPM) 2025, held at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) yesterday.
The victory earned UPNM Team A, a cash prize of RM8,000 and a trophy.
The team’s joy was doubled when team member, Mr. Muhammad Idham Hafizie Zainuddin was named the Overall Best Debater, receiving an additional RM1,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Meanwhile, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) was announced as the first runner-up taking home RM5,000 and a trophy.
UPNM Team B secured third place, winning RM3,000 and a trophy, while Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) clinched fourth place, bringing home RM1,500 and a trophy.
The closing and prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Higher Education, who represented YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
In his closing speech, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry emphasised that debate competitions are not merely platforms for contest but also essential training grounds for shaping leadership and character among university students.
“Engaging in debates trains students to think critically, encourages courageous expression and instils a sense of accountability for one’s arguments. From these debate arenas emerge future leaders who are mature, articulate and grounded in people’s aspirations,” he said.
He also highlighted that the theme for the DPIPPM 2025, “Youth of Integrity, Foundation of National Resilience,” perfectly complements the government’s ongoing efforts to nurture moral values and ethical strengths among the younger generation.
“The true strength of a nation is not measured by its physical or economic progress, but the steadfastness of its moral, trustworthiness and integrity,” he added.
The DPIPPM 2025 was jointly organised by the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Malaysian Universities Debating Council (MADUM).
This year’s event brought together 60 debate teams from public and private universities, polytechnics, vocational colleges, as well as two ASEAN teams from Bandung, Indonesia.
Among the distinguished guests present were Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, Senior Political Secretary of the Prime Minister; Dato’ Dr Haji Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, Acting Chairman of the UUM Board of Directors; Datuk Professor Dr Azlinda Azman, Director-General of Higher Education, Department of Higher Education (MoHE); Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan, Vice-Chancellor of UUM; Datuk Ts. Ramdzan Daud, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity; and Professor Dr Mohd Izani bin Mohd Zain, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu who also serves as Chairman of MADUM.
