Sunway Model UN 2019 (12/7/19-14/7/19)

It's examination season for Sunway University students, but for Katelyn, she's juggling both Why? It's the yearly SUNMUN conference 2019! At first, I'm hesitated that whether I should forgo or stay at home studying for my finals? It's really a tough decision for me. I can't even choose! At a certain point, I decide to go for both! It's my final year in university, I have to support the SUNMUN team one way or another.

Before we head into real business, I forgot to tell you about my council. I'm in the Dewan Rakyat (DR), playing YB Tony Pua, MP of Damansara. Yes, the Malaysian Parliament! Sounds exciting right? Okay, let's get back where we left off. Like I mentioned above, I'm having mid exam indulgence, while waiting for my fellow MPs to arrive. I settle at the foyer to flip through the notes of the final paper, which I'm having on Monday.

We head up to the corridor of the JC auditoriums to sign ourselves up. After collecting the tags and door gift, we head back down again to meet up with other delegates to discuss on the topics that will be debating later on. AS we head back up for the opening ceremony, the corridor is filled with delegates and we are given the green light to settle ourselves in.

The ceremony starts with opening remarks from Sunway College Pre-U director, Ms. Cheng Mien Wee. I'm introduced to the delegates in the room as I'm the only university student who is representing the SUNMUN team. After a short speech from our Secretary Generals, Nicholas Sim and Leo Larkin, with the bang of the guvnor, it's time for SUNMUN 2019!

Under the escorts of the admins, we head to level 5, that's where most of the councils are being held. As I'm representing the PH government, my side is on the right side while the opposition is on the left, just like in real Parliament setting.

As we are debating, we are interrupted by the MP of Bagan Datuk, and I have to play the whipper at one point to make sure that peace is maintained in Parliament. When it is my turn to present, "Before I'm interrupted by the MP of Bagan Datuk..." I emphasise that we as the MPs of the country are here as one to raise the concerns of the people of Malaysia.

At 7.00pm, that's the debate of day one of council. I make my way to the foyer, I bump into my junior, Victoria! Well, a mini high school reunion on the first day of SUNMUN! On the second day of council, we resume with debate, but this time it gets spicier! The "worst part" of council is that we have "no confident" vote. Eventually, the PM "sacked" the Ministry of Defence and Mimister of Law. We have "a change of government" in SUNMUN, and now we become the opposition.

In mid council, the House of Commons MPs come in as they are having their "general election" to persuade delegate in each council to vote which party that they are confident in. I can't remember which HOC MP mentions about our Malaysian palm oil. Anyway, it's fun seeing them pulling votes from council to council. And one thought: Why DR didn't do that?

When you're at MUN conferences, it's tradition to attend socials! We have an opening act from our talented secretariat team, and a two songs from Guan Yu and me- which are Disney classics!

The third and final day with PH as the "opposition" and BN as the "new government" with the MP of Rembau as the PM. In mid council, Ethan and Belle who play the roles of PM and DPM respectively, suddenly switch to Anwar Ibrahim and Rafizi Ramli! Wow! That's a quick change of roles! With Ryan joining us as the MP of Sungai Petani, it gets so much better!

In the end we failed the "model Bill". This is how Malaysian politics works. Although I'm always try to keep my standpoints neutral at all times, we didn't even realise that we a part of politics all the time. Well, now I know now! Council ends and we have each other signatures and social media accounts to keep in touch.

Before the closing ceremony, we have Subway for lunch. That kind of reminded me at last year's SUNMUN, I guess history repeats itself. There is a slight delay of the closing ceremony, while waiting, we just hang around and talk about what happen today in our respective councils.

The closing ceremony starts with a slide show of the events that happened throughout these three days. When it comes to DR, the whole MP cheer on. After that it is the award ceremony! For DR, we have MPs of Kemanis, Gombak and Rembau for having the best delegate awards! Upcoming MUNs are introduced and with a one last bang, SUNMUN 2019 is officially over!

Although I didn't win an award, SUNMUN is placed second as group delegation after IIUM. That's an achievement, at least we win something at "home grounds".  The closing ceremony after-party with delegates mingling around taking pictures and exchanging each others' social media account, as well as having individual feedback from their respective chairs. As for me, I need to brush up my research skills!

I wanna give a huge shoutout to all the MPs in the Dewan Rakyat council, you guys did amazing! And a shoutout to Tuan Speaker, Ryan, and Deputy Tuan Speaker, Chia Yong, for leading the council and having faith in every MP. To my "boss", Thesya, thank you for being the best "boss" ever! To Ethan and Belle, thank you for guiding fellow PH MPs as Tun M and Dr. Wan Azizah respectively.

I can say that despite having my last paper on Monday, SUNMUN is definitely the best way to get away from the mid-exam indulgence. I wanna congratulate to Nicholas and the SUNMUN team on the success of the event! This maybe my last SUNMUN, but I'll continue to support the team!