In 2006, workshops and preliminary rounds held both here in the Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan and Kuching. There were 660 participants at the workshops from which 255 participants pit their wits against each other in the regional preliminary competitions.

From this the judges selected 50 semifinalists and from that we had 12 National Finalists. And from our finalists, two were selected to represent Malaysia at the International Public Speaking Competition in May.

Regional finalists today spoke on the given theme which was “Mapping The Global Future” – each of them will had 5 minutes to deliver their speech and thereafter were subject to 2 questions from our panel of judges.

In 2006, the regional finalists were :

• Alison Lo Yin Pin
• Andrew Loh Zhu An
• Ashwin Charles Benedict
• Bukhari Bin Yusoff
• Chrislynn Siaw Ling Hui
• Grace Ng Fei Fen
• Jaganraj a/l Ramachandran
• Liew Wai Wai
• Sabella Binti Mohd Sukarno
• Saranya a/p Kathirvel
• Shalini Yeap May Hwa
• Shirley a/p Mohanakumar

National champion for 2006 was Sabella Binti Mohd Sukarno and Saranya a/p Kathirvel came in second place. Both will be representing Malaysia at the International Public Speaking Competition 2006, London on 16th to 19th May 2006.