The Second National Inter-varsity Mock Trial Competition (NMTC) concluded on 3 August 2024, with Multimedia University (MMU) emerging as the winner of this year’s competition. This competition also named Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) as the Runner-up as well as Melissa Ho Mun Wai of UniSZA as the Best Counsel of the Final Rounds.

NMTC 2.0, initiated by WWF-Malaysia in partnership with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), aims to raise awareness of the importance of legal court cases in safeguarding conservation needs and encourage the legal profession to uphold greater environmental justice. The competition was also made possible with other crucial collaborations with the Bar Council of Malaysia, Yayasan PEACE, the law firm Messrs. Yusfarizal Aziz & Zaid, Selangor Court, and Sabah Law Society.

This year, a total of twelve teams from eight esteemed institutions participated in this Second National Inter-varsity Mock Trial Competition. Over the past eight months, participants engaged in intense competition, advancing through three preliminary rounds, a semi-final, and a final round. A distinguished panel of the legal profession, including The Honourable Justice Dato' Mary Lim Thiam Suan (Retired Federal Court Judge), Dato' Dhanaraj Vasudevan (Kamil Hashim Raj and Lim Advocates and Solicitors), and Puan Rafiqha Hanim Mohd Rosli (Sessions Court Judge), presided over the final rounds, held at the Bandar Baru Bangi Sessions and Magistrate Court.

“Our congratulations to WWF and to all its volunteers. This I understand is a second year running for such a programme. It is extremely difficult to put together a moot problem, let alone a mock trial. Nobody does it because it’s mad and as you can see it is really really tough and to have case management at the same time, it is not easy at all. So, kudos, to the whole team, I think it is really commendable. Please keep up this good work.” according to The Honourable Justice Dato' Mary Lim Thiam Suan (Retired Federal Court Judge)

On 3rd August, the competition's grand finale was followed by a closing ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including Yang Arif Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Federal Court Judge, Ybhg. Prof. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Norazah Mohd Nordin Deputy Vice Chancellor of Industry and Community Partnerships Affairs, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Madam Sophia Lim, CEO and Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) WWF-Malaysia.

“Today, more than ever, the role of law in protecting our environment cannot be overstated. Environmental law serves as the bedrock for our efforts to conserve natural habitats, protect endangered species, and combat the adverse effects of climate change. Through robust legal frameworks, we can hold entities accountable, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” according to Sophia Lim of WWF-Malaysia.

The NMTC serves as a platform for law students to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and legal research skills while addressing pressing environmental challenges. By simulating real-world legal scenarios, the competition equips future legal professionals to become advocates for sustainable development and environmental protection.

“I think from this competition what all of us got is the importance of sustainability and the importance of the legal world and its intersection. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You can use your legal instruments in order to promote for future sustainability which in the end will help make a more just world.” according to Pavit Coran of MMU.

WWF-Malaysia is thrilled with the overwhelming success of the second National Inter-varsity Mock Trial Competition. The talent and passion displayed by the participants were truly inspiring. The NMTC 2.0 has proven to be an invaluable platform for nurturing future legal leaders who are committed to environmental sustainability. We look forward to expanding the competition in the coming years and reaching an even wider audience.
 

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About WWF-Malaysia

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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https://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/media_centre_and_updates/