GRADUATION ceremonies are typically defined by sentimental platitudes and polite applause, but Kolej PERMATA@Pintar’s top graduate chose to rewrite the script.
Awwal Azzudin, recipient of the school’s highest honor, captured national attention after injecting fiery political charisma into his podium debut, drawing direct inspiration from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Taking the stage just two weeks after watching the Prime Minister’s keynote address, Awwal anchored his address in themes of resilience and reform.
Rather than delivering a conventional, formulaic speech, the young achiever framed his cohort's rigorous academic hurdles around the concept of swimming against the current.
"We didn’t follow the ordinary path," Awwal said of his time at the institution.
"We took high-level pre-university courses while simultaneously sitting for SPM. It truly felt like swimming against the current."
To underscore perseverance against heavy odds, Awwal incorporated stylistic cues and thematic parallels from the national leadership.
He balanced this ambition with lighthearted campus nostalgia, earning chuckles from the auditorium by referencing universal student trials—including spotty hostel Wi-Fi, cafeteria meals, and encounters with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s resident monkeys.
The mood shifted into high gear, however, when the speech turned toward future ambitions.
"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.
Stepping off the stage, he was greeted by amused parents joking, "Oh, so you’re the one who wants to be PM?"
Surprised that a ten-minute speech had kept the audience entirely engaged, Awwal offered a simple reply to the crowd: "I learn from the best."
With ambitions to pursue higher education in the United States, Awwal shared excerpts of his address on social media, hoping the digital footprint might reach his political idol.
To his surprise, the Prime Minister caught wind of the post and left a playful public comment on the thread, jokingly threatening a small royalty fee for the borrowed oratorical flair.
Awwal emphasized that his homage carried no hidden political agenda, noting that his admiration stemmed purely from the Prime Minister’s eloquence and leadership style.
Following in the footsteps of other youths who have gained recognition online, the top graduate admitted he shares a singular aspiration: an opportunity to meet his idol face-to-face, discuss his academic journey, and express personal gratitude. – September 5, 2026
