Abang Johari (standing front, fifth right) joins (standing front, from right) Rentap, Jabu, Uggah and Abdul Karim in a photo-call with the youths. Snowdan is standing front, at second left.
BETONG: Youths are urged to have a global mindset and be prepared to lead Sarawak as globalisation is making the world a very competitive place.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said youths of today would take over from them in the future; therefore they must be prepared to compete because the world has become small.
“You are now connected to the world and you must have a global mindset,” he said when launching the state-level ‘Youth Day’ celebration here yesterday.
He said he was very impressed by the youths’ desire to develop the country and the state; therefore he would do his best to create a platform for them to hone their innovative skills.
“To look at our future, we must look at the youths. By looking at all of you today, I am very confident that we have a very bright future,” he said.
Abang Johari added that the youths of today are a very fortunate lot as Sarawak has a very good education system, and conducive environment and ecosystem to allow them to improve, and prepare for the future.
“The question is: what about the future? The future is in your hands.
“You have Facebook, you have Instagram, you have Wechat, you have Whatsapp – make full use of them to develop Sarawak.
“We want to develop our state using technology and engineering in order to add value to our raw materials. We want you, the young ones, to exploit the resources to the fullest,” he added.
Moreover, Abang Johari said the state government wanted Betong, Sri Aman and other areas nearby to acquire good agriculture practice, so that they would become food production hub not only in Malaysia, but in the world via e-commerce.
“We have to exploit the latest technology for production and marketing. I believe this can be implemented. (Deputy Chief Minister) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is now exploring new markets and finding new means to produce more agriculture products because Sarawak is very resource-rich.”
What Sarawak is lacking now is human resources, but the youths are the ones whom the government is looking up to, he added.
“Use your youths to the fullest before you become old, use your youth to pursue knowledge, use your youth to be more vibrant.
“I would like to announce, firstly, that I want our youths to be active by giving their attention to sports because we will continue to develop world-class sporting arena, and we want our youngsters to become world-class athletes.
“Secondly, we want to emphasise on our tradition, our roots; we are united as one regardless of our cultural and religious differences, and respect each other as ‘Anak Sarawak’ (Children of Sarawak).
“Thirdly, we want innovative and creative youths; we have set up two innovation hubs in Kuching and Sarikei, while the third will be set up here (Betong).
“We want innovators. Recently, Ahmad Zulfadzli Khamidi, 13, developed a digital textbook app. In fact, Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC)’s top gun in Kuala Lumpur is also a Sarawakian, Ehons Chan. With such attitude and talent, Sarawak will be a developed state in Malaysia by 2030,” he said.
Former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Uggah, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, and Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu who is also PBB Youth deputy chief were among those present at the event.