(Miri, 18th) Organized by the Miri Association of Ethics and Culture and co-hosted by 339 Moral Academy, the "3rd Miri Division Chinese Primary Schools Moral Storytelling Competition" was recently held at MYY Mall Lutong. 32 students from 8 Chinese primary schools in Miri, divided into 4 groups: Lower Primary Chinese, Lower Primary Non-Chinese, Upper Primary Chinese, and Upper Primary Non-Chinese, competed with one another, vividly conveying moral values such as honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility, gratitude, and courage through their stories.
This competition invited experienced Toastmasters International member Mr. Chen Hong Xiang, Toastmasters International member Ms. Fang Qiu Qin, and Ms. Huang Song Ci, who has extensive experience in Chinese language teaching and competition judging, as judges.
All three judges have rich experience in speech and evaluation, with Chen Hong Xiang having participated in various speech contests and judging on numerous occasions; Fang Qiu Qin is also well-versed in competitions and judging; Huang Song Ci once served as a judge for Curtin University’s “Argue If You Dare” debate competition.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, served as the event’s guest of honor. In his speech, he commented that the moral storytelling competition is not only a contest in language skills and stage performance but also an important platform for promoting values, character education, and cultural heritage.
He said that when children use their voices, expressions, actions, and emotions to perform a story, it is more than just narrating; they bring the morals of the stories into their hearts and share them with the audience.
"The meaning of education should not focus only on academic results. A holistic education allows children to not only gain knowledge but also learn how to be good people, to respect others, take responsibility, and be grateful to parents and teachers."
He further stated that a knowledgeable person can move quickly, but a person with good morals can go further and steadier.
Sebastian Ting also encouraged contestants, saying that regardless of winning or losing, having the courage to step onto the stage, face the audience, and express themselves is already a precious breakthrough; and that the courage, confidence, communication skills, and moral values cultivated during their preparation are even more valuable takeaways beyond the trophy.
He noted that the competition being held for three years in a row demonstrates recognition from schools, parents, and the wider society. He hopes to further expand the competition in the future, allowing more schools and students to participate, and through various formats and languages, promote moral education—so that children can learn to be good people through stories, build confidence through the stage, and discover their potential through competition.
Miri Association of Ethics and Culture Vice-Chairwoman, Shen Yuanyuan, representing the organizers, said in her speech that from the first competition till now, their original intention has never changed—to hope that children participate not merely for awards, but to learn to distinguish right from wrong through stories, and recognize the importance of honesty, responsibility, respect, and gratitude.
She said that the third edition is not just a number, but also signifies the continuation of this meaningful activity thanks to support from schools, teachers, parents, and society.
She encouraged participants to ask themselves after the competition: "Am I braver than before? Did I learn a virtuous trait?"
She said as long as there is growth, there is gain; and even more important than the continuity of the competition is for children to bring the values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and gratitude spoken on stage back to their schools and families, practicing them in daily life—that is the true significance of the moral storytelling competition.
339 Moral Academy Miri Campus Principal, Ding Yi Ting, said knowledge can help children enhance their abilities, but good morality helps them walk steadily through every stage in life.
She pointed out that the meaning of the moral storytelling competition is not simply to see who speaks best, the loudest, or with the most animated gestures, but for students to discover wonderful values through stories, learn to respect teachers and love classmates at school, empathize with parents and take initiative at home, and choose the right thing bravely in the face of difficulties.
She said when a story ends, the applause ceases and the competition concludes, but the morals imparted in the story should not remain only on stage.
"Family is the first place where children learn morals. Every word and every action of a parent becomes a role model for their children. Only with the cooperation of schools, families, and society can we nurture a new generation with knowledge, ability, and good character."
The organizers also thanked the three judges for carefully listening to every performance and making professional evaluations, and also expressed their gratitude to the principals, guiding teachers, and parents for their support and company, as well as to the organizing team, sponsors, and venue sponsor MYY Mall Lutong for their assistance, enabling the event to proceed smoothly.
The organizing committee stated their hopes to continue with the fourth and fifth editions in the future, so that more children can learn morals through stories, build confidence on stage, and pass on the values of kindness and goodness to more people.
Competition Results
Lower Primary Chinese Group
Champion: Zheng Qian Yu (SJK Chung Hua Miri)
First Runner-Up: Cai Ming Yue (SJK Chung San)
Second Runner-Up: Hong Ling Yue (SJK Chung Hua Krokop)
Fourth Place: Liu Yu Cen (SJK North)
Merit Awards: Qiu Yu Ru, Lin Ruo Xin, Huang Xing En, Li Jing En, Huang Ze Yu, Chen Meng Jie
Encouragement Awards: Ye Wei Ning, Lin Jia Xin, Wu Ai Jie
Lower Primary Non-Chinese Group
Champion: Wawa Qhur aisha Puyang Erika (SJK Chung San)
First Runner-Up: Waylon Dylan Ronal (SJK Chung Hua Pujut)
Second Runner-Up: Fredella Adine Anak Franky (SJK North)
Upper Primary Chinese Group
Champion: Li Ai (SJK North)
First Runner-Up: Huang Zhi Yan (SJK Tukau)
Second Runner-Up: Zhang Li Yuan (SJK Chung Hua Miri)
Fourth Place: Lin Chen Xi (SJK Chung San)
Merit Awards: Cai Jia Cheng, Chen En Yun, Guan Jing Yuan, Lin Ning Yun, Zheng Jia Xuan, Xie Yu En
Encouragement Award: Chen Xiao Shun
Upper Primary Non-Chinese Group
Champion: Lorelei Vitalina Lester (SJK Chung San)
First Runner-Up: Adriella Xaviera Remie Anak Jacqueline (SJK Chung Hua Tudan)
Second Runner-Up: Maximillian Bilong Malvin (SJK Tukau)
Fourth Place: Elffie Quinn Ronal (SJK Chung Hua Pujut)
Merit Award: Ye Xin Yue (SJK North)
All three judges have rich experience in speech and evaluation, with Chen Hong Xiang having participated in various speech contests and judging on numerous occasions; Fang Qiu Qin is also well-versed in competitions and judging; Huang Song Ci once served as a judge for Curtin University’s “Argue If You Dare” debate competition.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, served as the event’s guest of honor. In his speech, he commented that the moral storytelling competition is not only a contest in language skills and stage performance but also an important platform for promoting values, character education, and cultural heritage.
He said that when children use their voices, expressions, actions, and emotions to perform a story, it is more than just narrating; they bring the morals of the stories into their hearts and share them with the audience.
"The meaning of education should not focus only on academic results. A holistic education allows children to not only gain knowledge but also learn how to be good people, to respect others, take responsibility, and be grateful to parents and teachers."
He further stated that a knowledgeable person can move quickly, but a person with good morals can go further and steadier.
Sebastian Ting also encouraged contestants, saying that regardless of winning or losing, having the courage to step onto the stage, face the audience, and express themselves is already a precious breakthrough; and that the courage, confidence, communication skills, and moral values cultivated during their preparation are even more valuable takeaways beyond the trophy.
He noted that the competition being held for three years in a row demonstrates recognition from schools, parents, and the wider society. He hopes to further expand the competition in the future, allowing more schools and students to participate, and through various formats and languages, promote moral education—so that children can learn to be good people through stories, build confidence through the stage, and discover their potential through competition.
Miri Association of Ethics and Culture Vice-Chairwoman, Shen Yuanyuan, representing the organizers, said in her speech that from the first competition till now, their original intention has never changed—to hope that children participate not merely for awards, but to learn to distinguish right from wrong through stories, and recognize the importance of honesty, responsibility, respect, and gratitude.
She said that the third edition is not just a number, but also signifies the continuation of this meaningful activity thanks to support from schools, teachers, parents, and society.
She encouraged participants to ask themselves after the competition: "Am I braver than before? Did I learn a virtuous trait?"
She said as long as there is growth, there is gain; and even more important than the continuity of the competition is for children to bring the values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and gratitude spoken on stage back to their schools and families, practicing them in daily life—that is the true significance of the moral storytelling competition.
339 Moral Academy Miri Campus Principal, Ding Yi Ting, said knowledge can help children enhance their abilities, but good morality helps them walk steadily through every stage in life.
She pointed out that the meaning of the moral storytelling competition is not simply to see who speaks best, the loudest, or with the most animated gestures, but for students to discover wonderful values through stories, learn to respect teachers and love classmates at school, empathize with parents and take initiative at home, and choose the right thing bravely in the face of difficulties.
She said when a story ends, the applause ceases and the competition concludes, but the morals imparted in the story should not remain only on stage.
"Family is the first place where children learn morals. Every word and every action of a parent becomes a role model for their children. Only with the cooperation of schools, families, and society can we nurture a new generation with knowledge, ability, and good character."
The organizers also thanked the three judges for carefully listening to every performance and making professional evaluations, and also expressed their gratitude to the principals, guiding teachers, and parents for their support and company, as well as to the organizing team, sponsors, and venue sponsor MYY Mall Lutong for their assistance, enabling the event to proceed smoothly.
The organizing committee stated their hopes to continue with the fourth and fifth editions in the future, so that more children can learn morals through stories, build confidence on stage, and pass on the values of kindness and goodness to more people.
Competition Results
Lower Primary Chinese Group
Champion: Zheng Qian Yu (SJK Chung Hua Miri)
First Runner-Up: Cai Ming Yue (SJK Chung San)
Second Runner-Up: Hong Ling Yue (SJK Chung Hua Krokop)
Fourth Place: Liu Yu Cen (SJK North)
Merit Awards: Qiu Yu Ru, Lin Ruo Xin, Huang Xing En, Li Jing En, Huang Ze Yu, Chen Meng Jie
Encouragement Awards: Ye Wei Ning, Lin Jia Xin, Wu Ai Jie
Lower Primary Non-Chinese Group
Champion: Wawa Qhur aisha Puyang Erika (SJK Chung San)
First Runner-Up: Waylon Dylan Ronal (SJK Chung Hua Pujut)
Second Runner-Up: Fredella Adine Anak Franky (SJK North)
Upper Primary Chinese Group
Champion: Li Ai (SJK North)
First Runner-Up: Huang Zhi Yan (SJK Tukau)
Second Runner-Up: Zhang Li Yuan (SJK Chung Hua Miri)
Fourth Place: Lin Chen Xi (SJK Chung San)
Merit Awards: Cai Jia Cheng, Chen En Yun, Guan Jing Yuan, Lin Ning Yun, Zheng Jia Xuan, Xie Yu En
Encouragement Award: Chen Xiao Shun
Upper Primary Non-Chinese Group
Champion: Lorelei Vitalina Lester (SJK Chung San)
First Runner-Up: Adriella Xaviera Remie Anak Jacqueline (SJK Chung Hua Tudan)
Second Runner-Up: Maximillian Bilong Malvin (SJK Tukau)
Fourth Place: Elffie Quinn Ronal (SJK Chung Hua Pujut)
Merit Award: Ye Xin Yue (SJK North)
