Graduation speeches can often be emotional tear-jerkers, but one top student from Kolej PERMATA@Pintar, Awwal Azzudin, decided to bring a little extra charisma and fiery determination to the podium.
Taking direct inspiration from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s keynote address at the KEADILAN 2026 National Congress, Awwal delivered a bold speech that has since caught the attention of many online, especially after he gave the prime minister a shoutout on Threads.
“If we can take on a dragon, what’s a little house lizard to us?”
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, the 2026 PERMATA@Pintar Highest Award (Anugerah Tertinggi) recipient explained that two weeks before his graduation, he watched PMX’s keynote speech and found deep resonance with its themes.
“In my speech, I touched on the intense journey we went through as PERMATA@Pintar students. We didn’t follow the ordinary path. We took high-level pre-university courses while simultaneously sitting for SPM. It truly felt like swimming against the current,” Awwal shared.
Centred on the theme “Angkatan Mendamba Perubahan dan Menongkah Arus” (A Generation Desiring Change and Swimming Against the Current), Awwal drew on the Quranic verse cited by PMX, which speaks of pursuing reform to the best of one’s ability, to underscore perseverance in the face of immense challenges.
Rather than making the speech overly emotional, Awwal kept things light with humorous “memory lane” callbacks, including hostel Wi-Fi struggles, dining hall food, and encounters with UKM’s resident monkeys.
However, the hall turned emotional when he expressed heartfelt gratitude to UKM, the Ministry of Education, teachers, and parents.
“When I mentioned that perhaps one day one of us might become the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the hall erupted with applause and cheers,” Awwal recalled. “After stepping outside, parents came up to congratulate me and joked, “Oh, so you’re the one who wants to be PM?’ They were surprised a 10-minute speech didn’t feel boring. I could only reply: I learn from the best — PMX.”
Hopes to meet PMX one day
With ambitions to further his studies in the United States, Awwal hoped the post would reach his idol. To his delight, PMX actually dropped a comment on his Threads post!
“Congratulations on receiving the award. Keep up the good work. That was a good speech. I might have to charge you a little royalty fee 😆” PMX commented.
“I don’t come with any political agenda. Seeing figures like Jojo and Alif Rakib get the chance to meet PMX at the Prime Minister’s Office made me think, ‘I want that too.’ I’m just a youth who wants to meet his idol, share a bit about my journey, and express appreciation to someone who has inspired me deeply.”
What do you think of Awwal’s inspiring graduation speech? Let us know in the comments!
