June Person of the Month — Mr Luc Choong Guong Sang
In a world where elocution and debate are renowned art forms, Luc Choong Guong Sang emerges as an exceptional master of both. His dedication and well-earned achievements highlight his intellectual prowess and hunger for personal growth.
Luc, youngest of three children, was raised by parents who worked as educators, growing alongside siblings who valued academic excellence. With his impressive performance in the classroom, it is hard to imagine this six-time Dean’s List recipient ever struggling in his studies. However, his academic journey prior to joining law school was never particularly impressive. Contrasting the high-achieving personas of his older siblings, his average grades and lackadaisical attitude in high school had constantly drawn negative attention from his teachers.
The catalyst to turning over a new leaf was sparked when he received 3D’s in A Levels, one of the lowest points in his life. Luc reflected on his shortcomings and realised it was not too late to redefine his future. He retook the papers and rebounded from his initial failure. His newly fuelled determination eventually transformed his 3D’s into 3A’s. This defining moment in his life made him believe in his capabilities and led him to aim even higher.
‘I was profoundly mediocre, and I was always fine with that. I think the point of change was when a close friend bluntly told me “when I see you, I just see wasted potential, and it is such a shame because you’re not even trying”. Those words were harsh, yet particularly impactful to me, because I knew it came from someone who cared about me’.
Luc’s signature determination can be traced back to his younger days. Growing up, Luc often found himself standing in his siblings’ shadows. He felt the invisible burden of expectations and the insistent comparisons by his teachers. It was as if he was in a perpetual race, but his older siblings had already trodden the track he ran on. He yearned for an outlet to express himself and carve out his own niche.
In his relentless search for such a platform, Luc stumbled upon debating. He saw it as an arena where he could freely express his thoughts in an engaging manner. Ultimately, debate was the perfect fit for Luc. It was an activity that required the constant exchange of ideas, arguments loaded with compelling conviction, and quick thinking — all of which he excelled at.
Luc (pictured bottom-right) attending the Asian Debate Institute Summer Camp in South Korea alongside his mentor, Maizura
He gradually developed a love for the craft, spending most of his high school days obsessing over debate videos online. Debating was no longer just a platform for Luc; it became a passion.
“My parents were incredibly supportive, willing to fork out money for me to go for competitions. Maizura, my coach, was also a parental figure to me. Everyone in the debating circuit knows she is definitively the best coach, but people may forget that she is also a mother to her debate kids. She would listen to our problems outside of debate, and go the extra mile to help us.”
His repertoire of debate achievements includes emerging as the Champion at the Malaysian National Intervarsity Debating Championships 2020 and 2021, and being crowned as the Overall Best Speaker and Finals Best Speaker in respective years. He credits his success to having the privilege of being coached by some of the best in Asia. He was fortunate enough to be guided by Maizura Mokhsein, Mubarrat Wassey, YB Tuan Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Prof Chandran A/L Somasundram, Patrick Cheang, Vinodhan Kuppusamy, as well as Chanel Chan — all powerhouse names in the realm of debating. Besides the coaching, Luc found that going the extra mile — by observing the top Asian teams, learning from their methods, and integrating them into his debate performances — truly helped him develop his debate skills.
Luc alongside his junior national teammates and coach, YB Tuan Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
Another feather in Luc’s cap is his time spent coaching the national debate team. Coaching a new generation of debaters provided him a different perspective. This experience impacted him just as much as it impacted his students. Coaching was an arduous task, Luc says, but the fulfilment he felt from watching his students grow, thrive, and accomplish their feats made the challenge worth it. He also described how his coaching style — as emulated by his previous coach, Maizura Mokhsein — of being more of a friend rather than a fearful authority figure tended to produce the best results.
‘The trophies and titles are rewarding, but the real victory comes from witnessing my students’ personal growth and journey.’
Despite initially announcing his retirement from debate early in 2021, Luc could not resist the prospect of teaming with Patrick Cheang and Vinodhan Kuppusamy — debaters he idolised since secondary school — to compete in the United Asian Debating Championship (‘UADC’) 2021 later in the year. His bold decision proved to be a wise one, as the trio made history by being the first Universiti Malaya (‘UM’) team to win UADC. Thinking back on this fond memory, soundtracked by ‘Best Friend’ by Saweetie featuring Doja Cat, Luc credits this hard-won achievement to his teammates and their immense support.
‘What made this competition special was that my teammates were so accommodating. Even though I achieved my own feats in debate, I knew that they were far more senior than me, yet they never made me feel like that was the truth. They would listen to my arguments and responses and encourage me if I felt demoralised.’
The winning team of United Asian Debating Championship: Luc Choong, Patrick Cheang, and Vinodhan Kuppusamy
In a nutshell, Luc’s journey to the championship can be characterised by moments of intense stress, strong team spirit, and resilience.
‘As much as I am done with debate, it is always nice to sit back and reminisce, that after years of hard work, I am an Asian Champion.’
Presently, Luc has decided to retire from his duties as a debater and debate coach to focus on his final year of law school.
Reluctantly venturing outside debate, Luc turned his attention to other activities in UM. He observed that the legal fraternity tends to place greater emphasis on mooting compared to debating. This disparity was palpable when, despite the exceptional performances of the English, Malay, and Chinese debate teams in UM, they seldom garnered the attention he believed they deserved. Realising this, Luc felt compelled to make a strategic shift to broaden his prospects. This pivot led him to participate in various moot competitions, including the notable Monroe E Price Media Moot Competition (‘Price Media’) 2021.
Luc and his Monroe E Price Media teammates and coaches
The shift required Luc to unlearn some ingrained habits he picked up in debate. Where debate required spontaneity, an argumentative spirit, and a dash of entertainment, mooting called for preparedness, formality, and an aura of calm. Mentors like Saradha Lakshmi, Raphael Kok, and Lee Suan Cui proved indispensable in this transition. Their invaluable guidance helped him fine-tune his oratorical skills to meet the nuanced demands of mooting and advocacy.
Luc eventually emerged as the Champion of Price Media, Asia-Pacific Rounds in 2021. Locally, he continued this momentum by winning the KL Bar Moot and Tun Zaki Moot in 2022. Further, emerging as one of the Top 10 Best Oralists in the Global Rounds of Price Media was no easy feat. When asked about what his key strategies were, Luc’s advice was twofold.
Firstly, he employs a paradoxical concoction of intense doubt with incredible confidence. When looking at your research or speech outline, you must doubt everything you have written, to the extent that you can anticipate whatever a judge or opponent may think. When giving your speech, you must present it as if it is the gospel truth, keeping in mind the doubts you have had and dealing with them accordingly. Secondly, he emphasised the virtue of being coachable. The best debaters and mooters are the ones who set their egos aside, and believed in their coaches’ directions, even if it meant accepting harsh criticism or taking a backseat in the team.
‘I want to emphasise that if others had been put in positions that I have been in, whether it is debate or moot, it is likely they would have achieved the same successes, perhaps even more. I truly believe success is 80% luck, and 20% effort. I was lucky to be coached by the best, to have supportive parents, and have access to excellent teammates. This does not mean we should downplay our successes, but we must be cognisant that privilege plays a big part in our lives, everywhere we go. If you are someone who is still finding your footing in these activities, do not be too hard on yourself.’
Taking the time to find footing in new terrain while maintaining your personal well-being is certainly a tough balancing act. Luc has always adhered to a simple, yet effective, approach to managing his time: by finding joy in everything he does. This principle has been instrumental throughout his engagement in various projects. He naturally finds joy in the thrill of debate. While mooting may not be his favourite activity, the company and camaraderie found in the process have become invaluable to him.
In instances when a task may seem particularly monotonous, Luc encourages himself by remembering the purpose behind his efforts. This was instrumental in the Malaysian Public Policy Competition 2021, whereby he emerged as Champion. Despite loathing curating pitch decks, the fuel of wanting to expand his horizons was sufficient to push him over the line. He finds that there is always some unparalleled satisfaction in accomplishing something to the best of his abilities, no matter how mundane the task.
Besides that, Luc often leans on his friends for support. Difficult times in the Faculty are made easier with good company. Backed by their unwavering loyalty and endless support, Luc is able to reach greater heights, both within the Faculty and beyond.
‘They will be the ones who will cry with you through your endeavours, and whether those tears are of joy or sorrow, it's always better than crying alone.’
Luc and his friends after the Dean’s List ceremony
As Luc’s legal career took its first steps within these Faculty halls, he cannot help but reminisce over his memories here fondly. His time in the Faculty featured a number of notable involvements, such as being the Managing Editor of the University of Malaya Law Review (‘UMLR’) and Vice Director of Lex Imprimis.
Luc Choong was drawn to the UMLR since his early days in the Faculty. Despite acknowledging that his writing and editing skills were less than stellar at that time, his will to join the organisation remained undeterred. He was motivated by the challenge and prospect of sharpening his skills, eventually making it into the 2019/2020 Editorial Board in his first year. However, true to his ambitious nature, he was not content with merely joining the team. He wanted to make the most of the opportunities and resources available in the UMLR.
Luc and Celin with the University of Malaya Law Review Volume 5 keynote author and former Federal Court Judge, Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali
In his subsequent year in the legal publication, Luc aimed high and cinched the position of Managing Editor. Alongside the Editor-in-Chief, Celin Khoo, Luc took on the intimidating responsibility of reviewing various articles while ensuring the Editorial Board functioned smoothly and efficiently. Luc candidly describes himself as quite the opposite of meticulous, a trait that Celin embodied to the fullest. Yet, his time as Managing Editor ultimately gifted him a sharp eye for detail. Whenever he proofreads or writes an article, he pictures the ever-meticulous Celin behind him, ready to point out faulty grammar or an incorrect footnote. This mental image shaped his habit of paying attention to the smallest of details — a trait any lawyer would value.
As Vice Director of Lex Imprimis, Luc faced an uphill task when they were forced to move their programme online due to the pandemic. Coordinating with over a hundred first-year students without the ability to physically connect with them proved a monumental challenge. However, knowing he played a role in helping the first-years carve their lifelong friendships made it all worthwhile.
The 2022/2023 tenure was more memorable, as the orientation returned to its physical format. As the Head of the Disciplinary Bureau, Luc found himself in the unenviable position of reprimanding and maintaining order among the freshmen. In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Luc expresses relief that his car tires remain intact — an indication, he hopes, that any freshmen he reprimanded have moved on from those initial encounters. Nonetheless, he appreciates every role he got to play in the Faculty, knowing that they have shaped the work ethic he carries on beyond university.
Further adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, Luc successfully secured a highly coveted position in the Judicial Attachment Program under YA Dato’ Mary Lim. This prestigious attachment gave him valuable insights into the judiciary that significantly contributed to his professional development.
Luc and YA Dato’ Mary Lim Thiam Suan on the final day of his attachment
While under YA Dato’ Mary Lim’s mentorship, Luc had the extraordinary opportunity to witness numerous esteemed legal practitioners present their submissions. This experience helped him understand that the best submissions often possess simplicity, structure, and clarity. He realised that an effective argument need not be laden with complex jargon, but should rather be communicated in a straightforward and comprehensible manner. The whole attachment truly served as a valuable hands-on experience for Luc.
Luc’s many endeavours — from working under an esteemed judge to planning orientation events — have provided him with a unique edge in his academics. For instance, the meticulous research required in moot has enhanced his research skills in assignments. When penning his academic essays, he employs his debate strategies in order to convey his thoughts and opinions with utmost clarity.
However, despite his scholarly success and busy schedule, Luc strongly advocates for the importance of enjoying oneself. He firmly believes that allowing time for relaxation is crucial in avoiding burnout, which could potentially hamper both academic and extracurricular performance. He reiterates:
‘Life is more than just winning competitions or achieving academic excellence. Go out with your friends late at night, take many pictures and videos that you would not want others to see. Play Brawl Stars with your friends even with an assignment due. You won’t be able to do this as much once you leave the Faculty.’
His core belief is that excellence, however one may define it, is not mutually exclusive with a fulfilling University life. Stereotypes may dictate that those with the highest grades and extracurricular accolades require a high opportunity cost to one’s enjoyment in life, but that is absolutely false.
Looking into the future, Luc playfully but earnestly expressed his immediate objective to survive pupillage — a nod to the imminent challenge that any budding lawyer must face.
Luc wishes to thank the ‘The Temple’ for their friendship and compassion
Luc has made it clear that his journey thus far has only been meaningful because he could share it with many people, for better or worse. He wishes to thank, in no particular order, Pearly Yeoh, the ‘Pearluc Fanclub’, ‘The Temple’, Kamara Azlie, Leezzie John, Azrie Hanafie, Hafiz Nabil, Jing Xun, Faye Lee Chin, Eunice Wong, Natalie Jong, Jing Long, Ashley Voon, Nevyn Vinosh, Abby Si, Yun Xin, Pravena Sreetharan, Yan Yee, Celin Khoo, Yap Lee Lee, Chrystal Foo, Peh Qi Hui, Audrey Lim, Sarah San, Afiqah Sapiee, Marsyitah Amiira, Ho Yu Fei, Catherine Alicia Nathan, Kuhan Karttikeyn, Danesh Aggarwal, and the many others who have had the misfortune of being in his close friends list.
As we wrap up the reflections on Luc’s journey, he wishes to offer a heartfelt tribute to his dearest friends: his dogs, Coco and Louis.
The love(s) of his life, Louis and Coco
Coco, who has been with Luc since he was 11, is credited for being his silent yet significant pillar of support throughout his adolescence. His love for this loyal confidante brims with affection. Their unique bond has helped him navigate the roller coaster of his growing years.
Louis, the newer addition to Luc’s family, is praised for reinvigorating the dynamics of his household. Luc thanks his canine buddy for his protective instincts and unexpected role in bringing the family closer. Louis’ affectionate nature never fails to bring warmth to Luc’s heart.
With his heartfelt words conveyed to his canine companions, Luc reminds us that beyond the accolades and academic achievements, these endearing, personal moments often shape us the most.
Written by Sulakhni Kaur Khosa.
Reviewed by Siti Nur Radhwa, Chrystal Foo, and Pravena Sreetharan.