BY UMMI INTAN MASARRAH
KUCHING: What started as a natural part of daily communication has become a defining strength for a teenager whose love for the national language continues to guide his success.
Seventeen-year-old Yap Yi Sen has drawn attention after emerging as a standout performer in various Malay language competition, where he secured top honours in three school-level categories held in conjunction with National Language Month 2026 (BBK 2026) at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 .
His achievement reflects strong language mastery and consistent dedication.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to Yap during the prize and certificate presentation ceremony at the school’s Auditorium yesterday (April 22), where he also impressed the audience with his captivating “Face-Changing” (Rubah Muka) performance.
Beyond his language success, Yap’s interest in the traditional art form began at the age of nine while living in Kuala Lumpur under the guidance of a teacher from China.
He said the discipline requires patience and repeated practice to ensure precision in every movement.
“I started learning Rubah Muka at nine, and every movement has to be practised seriously,” he said.
He stood out during the event for his fascinating ‘Face-Changing’ (Rubah Muka) performance.
He also revealed that a total of 12 face changes were used in his performance, making it both challenging and mesmerisng for the audience.
On the language side, Yap’s achievements in March included victories in three school-level BBK 2026 competitions: the Malay Language Student Forum Competition, the Malay Poetry Declamation Competition, and the Malay Language Speech Competition.
Yap shared that his interest in the Malay language began at a young age through daily communication and his close relationship with his sister, with whom he often spoke in Malay.
He added that the National Language should not be seen as difficult, but rather easier to grasp when approached positively.
For the record, Yap was last year crowned champion of the Unity Speech Competition (Secondary School Category) organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
His speech, Bahtera Perpaduan Mengemudi Lautan Cabaran (The Unity Vessel Navigating the Sea of Challenges), stood out for its strong delivery and expressive use of language.
Additionally, in 2023, he also participated in a trilingual speech competition involving Malay, Chinese and English, where he won at the national level.
Yap credited much of his success to the guidance of his teacher, Tee Leyok Poo, who trained him and his peers with dedication.
“Teacher Tee is very dedicated. She helped us improve our pronunciation, delivery style, and confidence,” he said.
Inspired by her dedication and support, Yap said he has also developed an aspiration to become a teacher one day, so he can guide and inspire others in the same way.
Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue a career that allows him to continue promoting language, culture and performing arts among younger generations.
