Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club

07/05/2026

01/05/2026

𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 (𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘂 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴), 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Question: What is one simple way to save money today?

Evaluared by Google Gemini

This is a solid impromptu speech! The speaker effectively uses a classic rhetorical structure to tackle a broad question. Here’s a breakdown of the performance, including strengths and areas for growth:

​Content & Structure
​The "Rule of Two": The speaker immediately anchors the speech around the distinction between Needs vs. Wants. This is a brilliant impromptu tactic—it provides an instant mental framework that prevents rambling.

​Concrete Examples: He moves from abstract concepts to relatable items (houses, cars, jewelry vs. food, vitamins, gym fees). This makes the advice practical and grounded.

​The "Twist": Introducing the idea of investing as a way to eventually afford the "wants" adds depth to the speech. It shifts the tone from restrictive saving to proactive wealth building.

​Circular Conclusion: He ends by reinforcing the initial "Needs vs. Wants" theme, which gives the speech a satisfying sense of completion.

​Delivery & Body Language
​Presence: The speaker has a calm, authoritative demeanor. He doesn’t look panicked, which is half the battle in impromptu speaking.

​Hand Gestures: He uses varied hand movements to emphasize points—moving his hands inward for "needs" and outward for "wants." This visual storytelling helps the audience follow his logic.

​Humor: His inclusion of "gym fees" as a need (accompanied by a smile and a look at the audience) was a great way to build rapport and keep the atmosphere light.

​Areas for Improvement

​Fillers & Pauses: There are a few "umms" and "of course" repetitions as he thinks of the next point. While natural in impromptu speaking, practicing silent pauses instead of vocal fillers can make the speaker appear even more confident.

​Eye Contact: At times, he looks down or slightly away while searching for words. Maintaining steady eye contact with different sections of the room—even while thinking—projects greater conviction.

​The Transition to "Investment": While the point about investing was good, the transition was a bit abrupt. A simple "Now, saving is only half the battle..." would have bridged the two ideas more smoothly.

​Summary of Impact

Aspect Rating Notes
Structure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent use of the Needs vs. Wants framework.
Relatability ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Examples were clear and universally understood.
Confidence ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Calm delivery with good use of humor.
Fluency ⭐⭐⭐ Occasional fillers, but nothing that distracted from the message.

Final Tip for the Speaker:
​To take this to the next level, try the "PREP" method (Point, Reason, Example, Point). You already do this intuitively! By being conscious of it, you can tighten the "Reason" section to get to your great examples even faster.
​Would you like tips on how to practice the "PREP" method for your next session?

14/04/2026

𝗞𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗖'𝘀 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 (𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲) 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝟮 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club successfully conducted its 18th online meeting via Zoom on the evening of 2 April 2026, embracing the nostalgic and reflective theme, “Throwback Thursday.”

The meeting brought together members and guests in a well-structured and engaging session that highlighted both communication excellence and leadership development.

The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm with the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, TM Walter Sundang Alex, who called the meeting to order and ensured all participants were ready and seated. This was followed by a meaningful invocation led by Lai Kok F**k, DTM. The session included loyal toasts to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah and Toastmasters International, each duly acknowledged by members. Lai also shared a thoughtful “Thought of the Evening,” setting a reflective tone aligned with the meeting’s theme.

Club President, Ibranik Iskandarian Peter, DTM, then delivered his address. He warmly welcomed members and guests, and officially opened the meeting. His remarks emphasised commitment to excellence and set a purposeful direction for the evening.

The Facilitator of the Day, TM Amir Aliff Amri, took over the session with an engaging warm-up and introduced the evening’s role players. The supporting team included TM Normah Binti Ghapur as Timer, TM Dr Elizabeth Goh as Ah-Counter, TM Azizul Julirin as Table Topics Master, TM Mohd Haffiszul as Table Topics Evaluator, TM Rachel Chan as Grammarian and Suharjo Setio, DTM as General Evaluator. Each role player contributed to ensuring a structured, disciplined, and enriching meeting.

The Prepared Speech Session began at 8.05 pm and featured two speakers. The first speaker, Ibranik Iskandarian Peter, DTM, delivered a persuasive speech titled “Be the Voice of That Change the World.” His presentation encouraged the audience to embrace advocacy and personal responsibility in shaping a better future. The speech was evaluated by Lai Kok F**k, DTM, with additional input from co-evaluators Yusra Afiqah and Rachel Chan, who provided constructive feedback on both content and delivery.

The second speaker, TM Azizul Julirin, presented a speech titled “The Road Less Travelled,” reflecting on choices, individuality and the courage to pursue unconventional paths. His speech was evaluated by TM Walter Sundang Alex, who offered insightful observations and practical suggestions for improvement.

Following a short break, the Table Topics Session was conducted by TM Azizul Julirin. This segment encouraged participants to think on their feet and share spontaneous responses, adding energy and variety to the meeting.

The evaluation segment resumed under the guidance of the Facilitator of the Day. Reports were presented by the Timer, speech evaluators, Table Topics evaluator, Ah-Counter and Grammarian, each highlighting key observations and areas for improvement. The General Evaluator, Suharjo Setio, DTM, concluded the evaluation session with a comprehensive assessment of the meeting’s overall quality, commending its organisation while offering suggestions for continued growth.

The Word of the Evening, “Poignant,” was effectively incorporated throughout the meeting, reinforcing the reflective nature of the theme. Similarly, the idiom “You can’t step into the same river twice” underscored the importance of change and personal growth, resonating strongly with the speeches and discussions presented.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks by the Club President, who thanked all participants for their contributions and reiterated the Club’s commitment to excellence. The session ended on a high note with a group photo, capturing the camaraderie and spirit of the club.

In summary, the meeting was well-executed, engaging and aligned with Toastmasters’ core values of communication, leadership, and continuous improvement. The “Throwback Thursday” theme was thoughtfully integrated, providing both inspiration and reflection for all in attendance.

03/04/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝟯𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

In a Toastmasters meeting, the Grammarian plays a vital role in upholding the standard of language used throughout the proceedings. Beyond simply noting errors, the Grammarian listens attentively to evaluate clarity, precision and the effective use of vocabulary, while also highlighting commendable expressions that enrich the meeting experience.

Presented here is the Grammarian’s Report delivered during the 36th Anniversary Meeting of the Kota Kinabalu Toastmasters Club, held on 31 March 2026 at Wisma Damai, an occasion that also marked its Charter Night.

This report reflects not only the linguistic strengths demonstrated by the speakers but also offers constructive observations aimed at fostering greater mastery of the English language among members.

Video by Dr Melody Lee

27/03/2026

𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

A speech evaluator plays a vital role in helping new speakers grow by offering thoughtful, constructive feedback. By listening attentively and understanding the speaker’s intent, the evaluator ensures that comments are relevant, meaningful and encouraging.

Effective evaluations balance sincere praise with practical suggestions for improvement. Highlighting strengths builds confidence while clear, actionable recommendations guide the speaker toward better delivery, structure and audience engagement.

Above all, empathy is essential. A supportive tone fosters confidence and motivates the speaker to improve. Ultimately, a good evaluator does more than critique; they inspire continuous growth and help others become more effective communicators.

KKATMC's Meeting
26 March 2026

10/03/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

An Iftar gathering organised by the Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club was held in a warm and convivial atmosphere at the Sky Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, on 10 March 2026. The occasion brought together Toastmasters members and their family members for an evening of fellowship and shared reflection during the holy month of Ramadan.

The event was presided over by the club’s President, Ibranik Iskandarian Peter, and served as a meaningful platform to strengthen ties among members while celebrating the spirit of unity and harmony within a multicultural society. As the guests gathered to break their fast, the evening unfolded in a relaxed and friendly setting where conversations flowed easily, stories were exchanged and bonds of friendship were further deepened.

Beyond the meal itself, the gathering reflected the essence of the Toastmasters community, a network built not only on the pursuit of leadership and communication excellence but also on camaraderie, mutual respect and cultural appreciation. Programmes such as this demonstrate Toastmasters’ commitment to fostering understanding and togetherness among people of diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the values that underpin the organisation’s global movement.

Among those present were Nicky and his spouse Anne, accompanied by their children Leia and Myra; Normah and her husband; Anjali; Faridah; Walter; Rachel; John; and Dr Richard.

01/03/2026

Area K2 Speech Contest, 1 March 2026

The Area K2 Speech Contest concluded successfully today, marking an inspiring showcase of talent, courage and dedication. Heartfelt congratulations to all contestants for stepping up, embracing the challenge and delivering commendable performances.

🏆 International Speech Contest
🥇 1st Place: Clarence Ng
🥈 2nd Place: Lai Kok F**k
🥉 3rd Place: Andy Lim

🗣️ Table Topics Contest
🥇 1st Place: Clarence Ng
🥈 2nd Place: Lai Kok F**k
🥉 3rd Place: Andy Lim

📋 Evaluation Contest
🥇 1st Place: Ibranik Iskandarian Peter
🥈 2nd Place: Lai Kok F**k
🥉 3rd Place: Andy Lim

Special recognition to all participants. Your willingness to take the stage and give your very best truly made the event meaningful and engaging.

Well done, everyone!