Kuala lumpur: The inaugural Minister's Cup debate competition, held in conjunction with the 7th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2026, has provided a platform for young people to debate key issues surrounding the country's energy policy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a total of 20 university students from local institutions participated in the debate, which centred on the motion, 'Haruskah Malaysia Memperluaskan Pengeksportan Bekalan Elektrik Berasaskan Tenaga Boleh Baharu ke Negara-Negara Jiran di Samping Memenuhi Keperluan Domestik?' (Should Malaysia expand exports of renewable energy-based electricity to neighbouring countries while meeting domestic demand?)
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, also chairman of the Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme (MELP) steering committee, presented the championship award to the Government team, along with the Best Debater award. Chief Secretary to the Government and Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz was also present.
SEDA Strategic Communications director Izzad Zalman Abdul Kader emphasized the importance of involving young people in debate platforms to strengthen energy literacy and foster a critical, mature, and fact-based understanding of government policies. He highlighted that debates are a method to ensure young people have a deeper understanding of current issues and the ability to challenge government policies or present their views.
The Minister's Cup Debate is MELP 2026's flagship programme, organised by SEDA Malaysia to foster early energy literacy among the younger generation. MELP is a national initiative aimed at strengthening energy literacy among Malaysians by providing accurate, verified, and trustworthy information on energy. It was established to help Malaysians understand how energy is produced, used, and managed, enabling them to make informed, responsible, and sustainable choices in their energy use.
Muhammad Uwais Mohd Hazril Munir @ Umar, 20, who won the Best Debater award, remarked on the role of debating in making complex issues such as renewable energy more accessible to the public. He noted that debate is a unique platform because it allows the audience to hear perspectives from both sides.
Meanwhile, Afiq Athmar Mohamed, 21, commented on the collaboration between ministries, government agencies, and local media in organising such competitions, which had invigorated debate, education, and the mainstreaming of energy issues. He noted that the programme not only raised public awareness of energy supply crises across different age groups but was also important in promoting awareness of the shift from non-renewable to renewable energy.