Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement: Empowering Individuals

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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’.


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