Samarinda, 27 October 2022 — On Thursday, 27 October 2022, Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan organized a Debate Competition for Students of East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan 2022. It was a series of competitions held by the Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan to celebrate Language Month and Literature in 2022.
The competition was participated by eight teams. They passed from the Selection Stage of 26 teams. The selection stage was carried out by evaluating the arguments from videos that have been sent by the participants. The eight teams taking part in the Competition Stage consisted of seven teams from Mulawarman University, namely three teams from the Faculty of Law, three teams from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and one team from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Besides, one team came from the Mulia University of Balikpapan.
There were six themes as the topic of the debate competition. It was held from 08.00 to 14.45. First, Indonesian become an international language. Second, the obligation of the Indonesian Proficiency Test (UKBI) for foreign workers. Third, the variety of slang undermines the Indonesian language. Fourth, the use of foreign languages in advertisements, billboards, and business brands. Fifth, the use of local languages by social media creators, such as on social media Ragam Samarinda, Berita Terkini Samarinda, Lintas Balikpapan, and others. Sixth, the rise of hate speech among social media users.
The debate competition consisted of three sessions, namely the argumentation session of the 1st speaker, debate sessions by the 2nd and 3rd speakers, and closing argumentation session by the 4th speaker. The competition was interesting and exciting by each team argued about the theme raised.
The judges of the debate competition were Yudianti Herawati and Aquari Mustikawati from Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province, as well as Endry Sulistyo from literacy activists. The judges gave an assessment based on four criteria. First, suitability between the argumentation (relevance) and the theme. Second, the ability to give clear and coherent arguments (elaboration). Third, the ability to refuse and respond to the opponent’s argument (response). Fourth, the ability to use an appropriate and correct Indonesian.
Based on the preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds, the winners of the debate competition were as follows.
| 1st Winner | University | Score |
| Team 8 Risma Aisyah Putri Abidah Ardelia Muhammad Andre Putra Pratama Nabila Febri Jayanthy Marpaung Sri Suryanti Utami | Universitas Mulawarman/FIB Universitas Mulawarman/FIB Universitas Mulawarman/FIB Universitas Mulawarman/FIB | 260 |
| 2nd Winner | University | Score |
| Team 4 M. Gunawan W. Mardiana Nur Fadillah Riska Rajiskan Situmorang | Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum | 258 |
| 3rd Winner | University | Score |
| Team 5 Anastasya Carina Salsabilla Dewi Fatimah Fitri Rahmawati | Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum Universitas Mulawarman/Hukum | 240 |
| 1st Runner Up | University | Score |
| Team 6 Monica Febi Dea Maratussha Lihah Nabila Rachmadiani Shella Indriyani | Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP | 227 |
| 2nd Runner Up | University | Score |
| Team 3 Vivi Agustina Maisun Aidah Masyadit Aditia Omega Christiani | Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP Universitas Mulawarman/FISIP | 213 |
| 3rd Runner Up | University | Score |
| Team 1 Ilham Nur Yustifa Nirasanti Muhammad Refan Pratama Aylatifahsya Rahma Putri H. | Universitas Mulia Balikpapan Universitas Mulia Balikpapan Universitas Mulia Balikpapan Universitas Mulia Balikpapan | 209 |
The 1st Winner until the 3rd Runner Up was entitled to the trophies, certificates, and coaching money. The judges appreciated all participants who showed the best performance. Endry Sulistyo emphasized to the participants that the debate must be supported by relevant data and facts. Yudianti Herawati added in expressing ideas has to be coherent and paid attention to the appropriate and correct language.
According to the Chair of the Committee, Dwi Haryanto, the debate competition aimed to increase students’ understanding of the current issue related to the development of the Indonesian language. In addition, the debate competition is expected to enlarge a love for the younger generation, especially students, to prioritize Indonesian. Mainly, the debate competition indirectly sharpened students’ skills in speaking and critical thinking. (ak)
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma