30 teams enter English debating competition at UI

JAKARTA (JP): Should the Indonesian military remain in politics? Should Indonesia lease some of its islands? Is Asterix really mightier than Obelix? Are monarchies really a thing of the past? Should anyone ever become a sex symbol?

These are some of the issues -- 90 altogether -- that have been offered by organizers of the inaugural university English debating tournament which begins this weekend at the University of Indonesia (UI) campus.

The Indonesian Varsities English Debate 1998 will see 30 teams -- each with three speakers -- from 19 universities across the country displaying their debating skills on issues ranging from politics and gender conflict, to humor.

The University of Indonesia English debating society, which is organizing the Aug. 1-3 tournament, has selected the Australian parliamentary format for the event, promising a boisterous yet eloquent and stinging contest of words and wit.

The winning team will be nominated for the world English debating tournament which takes place in December, Achmad Nurhoeri Sukarsono, president of the debating society, said.

Achmad represented the University of Indonesia at the fourth Asian English debating competition in Singapore last year.

Hisal Maruli Manurung, who supervises the debating society, said Indonesia lagged behind most of its neighbors when it came to debating in English because it had only just begun to develop the tradition. In contrast, Singapore and the Philippines have had participants qualifying for the latter stages of international competitions, he added.

The tournament this weekend is the start of efforts to make debate in English a tradition among Indonesian students and to unearth any hidden talents which may be lurking around the nation's campuses.

The tournament is sponsored by RCTI, a private television station. According to the tournament organizers, the sponsor will broadcast some of the debates on television. Members of the public are welcome to join the audience. (emb)