By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) — From a young pupil who could only smile and nod because he did not understand a single word of a Malay-language text, Tai Weuy Liang has gone on to not only deliver speeches and write poetry in the language, but also champion Malaysia’s national language on the international stage.
His journey began in 2016 when Mohd Hafezi Abdul Hamid was asked to mentor Weuy Liang, then a Year Four pupil at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Imbi here, whose command of Malay was extremely limited.
Mohd Hafezi, now a Malay Language teacher at SJKC Wangsa Maju and a public-speaking coach, particularly for non-Malay pupils at Chinese national-type schools and Chinese independent secondary schools, was invited by the school to train Weuy Liang.
What began as twice-weekly coaching sessions at Weuy Liang’s home continued for almost a decade, including online sessions after the young man, now 20, pursued his studies at Peking University in China.
Over the years, Weuy Liang not only improved his command of Malay but also gained the confidence to emerge as champion in the national-level 2018 Prime Minister’s Unity Cup Speech Competition, the second International Malay Language Poetry Recitation Competition in 2024 and the Education Malaysia Jordan International Public Speaking Competition in 2025.
For Weuy Liang, the journey did not begin with victories, but with the embarrassment of not understanding a language he was expected to master.
“When Cikgu Hafezi first began coaching me and explained the speech text, I did not understand a single word. But when he asked whether I understood, I still said yes because I was too embarrassed to admit that I did not.
“In the early stages, I also forgot my text while on stage and lost many competitions. But he was always by my side, offering advice, guiding me and continuing to believe in my abilities,” he told Bernama recently.
According to Weuy Liang, his victory in 2018 marked a major turning point after Mohd Hafezi advised him not to imitate others, but instead develop his own identity when delivering speeches.
“From then on, I learned to find and build my own identity in public speaking because when we dare to be ourselves, what we deliver will truly have soul and sincerity,” he said.
In his efforts to strengthen his command of Malay, Weuy Liang turned to dictionaries and Malay-language magazines, while learning to understand the meaning and context of each word.
His interest later expanded from public speaking to poetry writing after he participated in a writing programme organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).
His first poem, about a cat named ‘Oren’, was written when he was 12, and nearly 10 of his works have since been published.
The work closest to his heart is titled ‘Cermin’ (Mirror), written in 2023 as a reminder not to remain trapped in failure and disappointment.
Meanwhile, his poem ‘Selagi Akar Ini Tidak Tercabut’ (As Long As These Roots Remain), published in an anthology by the National Writers Association of Malaysia (GAPENA) in 2026, portrays independence as a responsibility to love and defend the country.
Now in the second year of his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Peking University, Weuy Liang continues to use Malay despite being thousands of kilometres from home.
He actively recites Malay poetry in China, including at the New Malaysian Students Orientation Programme and the SEA You@ASEAN Youth Festival 2025.
“The Malay language has a great history, value and position, and I want to continue seeking opportunities to bring it to the world stage so that the language receives the respect it deserves internationally.
“To ensure that Malay continues to be used, we need two things - awareness and love. If we have both, whether we are in Malaysia or abroad, the Malay language will continue to live within us,” he said.
For Mohd Hafezi, his goal from the outset was never simply to help Weuy Liang win competitions, but to develop his pupil’s command of Malay, critical thinking and self-confidence.
“In the beginning, I taught him the basics and techniques of public speaking, pronunciation and how to use a dictionary whenever he did not understand a word.
“For poetry, I helped him understand the meaning behind the poems so that he could appreciate the works and develop a higher level of reasoning,” he said.
According to Mohd Hafezi, a significant transformation became evident when Weuy Liang was in Year Five and grew stronger in Year Six.
By the time he was in Form One at Tsun Jin High School, he was already able to discuss issues of unity and independence continuously for four minutes during a selection session alongside upper-secondary students.
He said that whenever Weuy Liang returned from Beijing, the young man would make time to meet him, and they would continue to converse in Malay about various current issues.
“Our relationship is not merely that of a teacher and pupil, but more like family despite coming from different races.
“Our meetings are not just for training, but also provide an opportunity to strengthen his language skills and mature his thinking,” he said.
Mohd Hafezi, who is also a holder of the Munsyi Dewan credential from DBP, believes Weuy Liang has the potential to develop into a Malay-language writer and advocate, as well as an icon of unity among today’s younger generation.
“I do not want his talent to end with competitions. I want to see him continue to grow as a writer and advocate for the Malay language who can bring the language to the international level,” he said.
The relationship between the two has also entered a new chapter with the production of a book documenting their journey since 2016, highlighting the values of education, trust and a teacher-pupil bond that extends far beyond the classroom.
-- BERNAMA