32-year-old Malaysian international keynote speaker Mas Mahathir Mohamad recently brought pride and recognition to Malaysia with his outstanding achievement on the global stage.
Mas Mahathir secured second place in the World Championship of Public Speaking, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center near Philadelphia, United States, on August 23.
The competition saw 30,000 contestants from over 140 countries, making it one of the most prestigious public speaking events in the world, often dubbed the “Olympics of Public Speaking.”
This isn’t Mas’s first success in the championship. In 2022, he placed third, proving his consistency and dedication to the craft.
“Standing in front of over a thousand audience members from across 150 countries to deliver a seven-minute speech is definitely a cherished moment,” Mas shared.
In a conversation with WORLD OF BUZZ, Mas admitted that it was nerve-wracking before stepping on stage. He credited his mentors, coaches, and especially his wife, Dr Jolynn, for their unwavering support. Mas said they constantly reminded him that his mission was to inspire and change lives, not just to win.
And it was certainly not easy for Mas to reach where he stands today.
WORLD OF BUZZ was told that the contest spans 8 to 10 months, beginning at the club level. Contestants must win at multiple stages, club, area, division, district, quarterfinals, and semifinals before reaching the world finals.
“I prepared my two speeches at least a year in advance. I truly believe in the idea that ‘a great speech is not written, but rewritten.’ I practiced daily, refining the content to ensure it was universal, emotionally impactful, and delivered effectively.”
When asked what was the topic of his speech in the competition, Dr. Jolynn and Mas told WORLD OF BUZZ that it was about being the first person to be kind.
Mas wanted to tell the world that instead of waiting for others to be kind, we could take the first step and inspire others to be kind.
“In today’s world, we witness so much hopelessness, loneliness, and violence. Often, we wait for others to act. But we can be the first. The magic of being the first to show kindness? It inspires others to follow. Just like before a rain, it starts with the first raindrop, then others follow.”
It’s about powerful, impactful speeches
Mas offered advice to those interested in public speaking.
“Don’t wait. A great speech takes time to brew. The longer you work on it, the shinier it gets. Most people prepare just weeks in advance, but I always start at least a year ahead to allow time for rewriting and rehearsing in front of different audiences.”
Despite his impressive achievements, Mas isn’t stopping here. His goal is to become the first Malaysian World Champion of Public Speaking.
“I want to make my beloved country Malaysia proud. Malaysia has never won gold in this contest. I believe Malaysians have great talent that often goes unrecognised. I want the world to know that Malaysia deserves to be seen, even in the sport of public speaking.”
Congratulations, Mas Mahathir, on your incredible achievement! Your journey is a powerful reminder that with dedication, anyone regardless of background, can shine. As Mas said, start early. You can watch his inspiring speech here.
Also read: Kuching-born Sound Mixer Is The 1st M’sian To Win An Award in Hollywood For His Works In Encanto
