Talk on recycling bags first prize

CHUA Wee Ming and Fatin Nuramalina Aslin took home the winning trophies for the 2012 Japanese Speech Contest, held at The Core, Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.

Chua, who had studied Japanese for six years, took home the winning trophy in the Advance Category with his speech, Risaikuru No Mondai (The Problem with Recycling). In his speech, he spoke about the issues of recycling in Brunei, noting that "In Brunei, it can be seen that recycling is not really popular. The average household does not divide its waste into the various categories, where they can be recycled and reused, unlike in more developed countries like Japan".

He said that it could be assumed that Bruneians do not care about the environment, "but this is a fallacy". He pointed out groups such as the "Beach Bunch" group in Brunei regularly organises beach cleaning events.

In his speech, he pointed out that such activities demonstrate that they do care about the natural world and also mentioned that "Only with everyone pitching in can we be able to reduce Brunei's wastage of resources and keep the country clean."

In addition to the trophy, Chua also won a week-long study tour of Japan.

Taking second place in the Advance Category was a speech by Sim Poh Fatt with Bunka Minna No Aidentiti, (Culture, Everyone's Identity) and coming in third place was Nur Amalina Abd Manaf with Kenketsu - Inochi no Okurimono (Blood Donation - The Gift of Life).

Sim won a Japanese wrapping cloth, while Nur Amalina Aslin won a traditional Japanese tumbler, in addition to their trophies and certificates.

Meanwhile, Fatin won the beginner's category with Insupirashon (Inspiration).As part of her prize, she won an Electronic Dictionary (Japanese - English).

Second place was taken by Yong Ai Min, who spoke about Nihonjin No Igaina Shokubunku (The Unexpected Japanese Food Culture) and third place was Nurul Ramizah Hj Zulhimi, who spoke on Nihon No Dentotekina Greenmu (Japanese Traditional Games).

The event is held annually by the Continuing Education Division (Ministry of Education), the Japanese Embassy and the UBD language centre.

It is also sponsored and supported by All Nippon Airways, the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association, the Japan-Brunei Friendship Association, Japan Overseas Enterprises Association, the Japanese Association and Japan Foundation.

Present as the guest of honour was Hj Mahrub Hj Murni, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office. Also present was the Japanese Charge d' Affairs to Brunei His Excellency Kinzo Nakagun.

The Brunei Times