By: Tan Weng Han
The Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) was initiated by YABhg Tun
Dr. Ling Liong Sik in the year 2006. Its aim is to introduce and promote
various techniques and skills pertaining to the improvement of mental literacy
among Malaysians. MMLM’s activities are inclusive of seminars, dialogues,
workshops, mental literacy talks for schools, mind competitions, and Malaysia
Festival of the Mind (MFoTM).
The MFoTM has been ongoing since year 2007, a valuable effort under the
umbrella of MMLM, jointly with Universtiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Abdul
Rahman University College (TARUC). The 10th MFoTM in year 2014 was
held on the 21st to the 22nd of June at Grand Hall UTAR, Perak Campus.
Among the renowned speakers of the MFoTM public talks were Prof Dato’ Dr
Goh Sing Yau, KC Chia, Wong Chooi Yee, Sussanne Lee, S. Jeyaraman, West Wong,
Dr Yew Kam Keong, Cheong Kok Wai, Hong Khay Chai, Lily Kong and Choong Hoon
Guan.
The annual MFoTM aims to imprint the importance of mental literacy among
the general public and to create awareness about the human mind and ways of
tapping into and developing one’s brain power. It also aims to introduce and to
promote various techniques and skills pertaining to the improvement of mental
literacy, such as memory skills, thinking skills, creativity, and personality
profiling.
There were 21 exhibitors, 14 public talks and 7 workshops, with each
programme lasting one hour that were held over the two days of the festival.
 |
Sussanne
Lee, founder of MY Brain Power Sdn Bhd, interacts with the audience as she
shares
her knowledge about speedreading during her talk in MFoTM: Accelerate
you reading
with photoreading. |
 |
(Anti-clockwise direction) Leaderonomics, Words
of Peace Global, Wonder Tree,
Kids Station, and Powerhouse Academy are among
the 21 exhibitors in
Grand Hall UTAR, Kampar. |
This
annual festival successfully attracted favourable responses from all segments of
society, from young school-going children to working adults and retirees since
its launch in 2007. Last year’s festival attracted about 2,600 visitors in
Kampar.
 |
Marcus Lim (in green), the youth initiatives developer
from Leaderonomics shares with
the attentive youngsters regarding the qualities
of a good leader start from the mind.
The numbered board game next to him was
his tool of sharing. |
 |
Also from Leaderonomics, Alvin Dan (left), the youth
programmes leader approached
Jolynn Tey, 22, student from public relations
UTAR,
who was interested in the causes
promoted by Leaderonomics. |
Just a corner away (refer to
the second picture), one can locate the Powerhouse Academy exhibition booth.
The Powerhouse Academy was founded by West Wong, one of the renowned speaker
mentioned earlier. West Wong, 27, was a UTAR acturial science graduand. He too,
was the bronze medal winner in the category ‘Mental Arithmetic Flash Anzan’ at
the World Mental Olympics 2012. His unexceptionally good arithmetic skill
earned him the title of ‘human calculator’, whereby he demonstrated it as well
to the public. He was shown a series of numbers with variants in digits (2 to 3
digits), spawning speed (one second or lesser), and the accumulation counts (5
to 10 accumulation counts). Nevertheless, he managed to answer them all.
 |
West Wong (right) having a photo with Sri (left), 20
who is currently enrolled
in biochemistry UTAR. “I was fascinated by his
impressiveness! I couldn’t be happier
by just having a picture with him.” Sri
praised the human calculator. |
 |
Djarkariel Antonius Gomez (or Kariel), the bubbly
6-year-old son of entrepreneurs
Kingsley and Lyra Gomez was also one of the
demonstrator in MFoTM.
He is a learner from the Powerhouse Academy.
At this age
he had already managed to memorize all the capital cities of each country. |
 |
| Mental literacy spans across age group, not merely the
youths. Even when it comes to solving mind-boggling puzzle |
Other
than the core exhibitions, talks, and workshops; there was a lucky draw section
going on as well, which awaited visitors with attractive prizes and the grand prize
of a Samsung Galaxy S5. A science exhibition was held simultaneously at
specific periods to entertain the public. “Witnessing efforts pouring in from multiple
sides to Malaysia Festival of the Mind, it is expected that the aim of the
Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement shall soar and hail.” says YABhg Tun Dr. Ling
Liong Sik.
 |
| The science exhibition to entertain the public, and the
first show: ‘Pyrokinesis’. |
