Singer’s win a boost for country

By CHRISTINA TAN
metrose@thestar.com.my

 

LABIS: Singer Nur Shahila Amir Amzah who won the top prize in Asia’s first reality singing contest in Shanghai has helped to build a positive image of Malaysia to the world.

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said he believed Nur Shahila’s ability in mastering three languages and performed them on the international stage made all Malaysians proud.

“I would like to congratulate her for her achievement, it has definitely helped to uphold the good image of the country,” he said at a youth camp at Dataran Labis.

Chua, who is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry deputy minister, commented on three songs in three languages by the 22-year-old emerged as the Asian Wave 2012 champion when she garnered enough votes online to beat contestants from China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India.

Chua said the success story of Nur Shahila, also known as Shila Amzah, had proven the Prime Minister’s focus on encouraging Malaysians to master not only the national language, but also other mother tongues.

“It is important in a bid to increase our competitiveness in the world,” he said.

Chua added that the new education blueprint would set to encourage students to master more than two languages.