The RHB New Straits Times Spell-It-Right Challenge, more endearingly known as SIR, is back for a second season with more nerve-wracking excitement and challenges.

Let\'s put on our thinking caps and join other leading spellers across the nation to compete for the top spots while making new friends along the way.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Get your entry forms in the New Straits Times from Mondays to Fridays beginning March 23,2009. For enquiries, please call the Brand Unit at 03-2282 3131 ext 5107/5111 or 012-5231148 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm).

Terms and Conditions

This challenge is open to Malaysian citizens in government-funded primary and secondary schools only.
Each school is allowed only one (1) team which MUST consist of four (4) contestants.
Only forty-eight (48) schools from each state will be accepted in each category. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each contestant must complete the original entry form published in the New Straits Times and submit a participation fee of RM10.00. Photocopied forms will not be accepted.
All entry forms must be fully completed and include the principal’s signature and school stamp. By participating in this challenge, it is deemed that the school has written consent from contestants’ parents and/or guardians.
Payments to be made in favour of RHB NST SPELL IT RIGHT CHALLENGE via account number 21427700044087 at any RHB Bank branch. Contestants will have to pay an additional RM0.50 at RHB Bank branches outside Kuala Lumpur.
The entry form together with proof of payment (bank-in slip) must be faxed to Brand Unit, Marketing Department, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd at 03 –2288 8888 or 03 – 2283 3323 no later than April 24, 2009. Entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
Proof of fax delivery is not proof of receipt of entry forms and bank-in slips.
The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry without giving any reasons whatsoever.
On the day of the challenge, teachers have to bring along the contestant’s original entry forms, confirmation letter from the New Straits Times, original RHB Bank proof of payment (bank-in slip) and certified true copies of the contestant’s Identity Card and/or Birth Certificate.
All contestants must be in complete school uniform for State and National Challenges.
All words must be spelt using British English.
No aids will be allowed on stage or on contestants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or handphones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No discussion or prompting will be allowed between team members or from anyone on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are violations, the word will be withdrawn and a new word given.
The time allocated to spell a word is twenty (20) seconds. If a contestant fails to complete spelling the word in the given timeframe, the contestant will be disqualified.
Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one (1) point.
In every round, point(s) awarded to a contestant will directly translate into points for the contestant’s school. At every championship level, the top three (3) schools based on points accumulated will be rewarded.
In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or distractions) the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.

For more details, visit http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/SIR/index_html]CHALLENGE
Accommodation will be provided for contestants and teachers from Peninsular States attending the National Challenge in Kuala Lumpur. Contestants from Sabah and Sarawak will be provided accommodation and transportation.
All finalists MUST use the centralised accommodation and transportation provided by the organisers.
The organisers may at their discretion refuse any entry and cancel or postpone the event without due notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances. No claims of any kind arising from the abandonment, cancellation and/or postponement of the event shall be entertained.
The organisers including but not limited to NSTP will not be held responsible for any mishap, injury, damage and/or loss suffered by any contestant. Every contestant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NSTP against all actions, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and/or damages with respect to any claims arising out of any death, or personal injury, loss or damage to property or goods under this Agreement arising out of the willful misconduct or negligence of the contestants or any breach or non-observance by the contestants of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
By participating in this challenge, contestants, teachers-in-charge and principals are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Contest Procedures and Terms and Conditions and decisions made by NSTP, its Subsidiaries, its employees and/or its agents.
For detailed challenge procedures, please log on to www.nst.com.my/SIR. For any further enquiries, please call the Brand Unit at 03-2282 3131 ext. 5107 / 5111 or 012-523 1148 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm).