Broaden horizons, be ready for international stage, DUN Speaker tells S’wak youth
KUCHING (Sept 22): Sarawak’s future leaders must broaden their horizons and be prepared to engage confidently on the international stage, said Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar. He said proficiency in an international language, particularly English, was important for young people aspiring to leadership in an increasingly interconnected [...]…
Sarawak’s Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar addressed the youth of the state, urging them to broaden their horizons and prepare for the international stage. Asfia emphasized the importance of proficiency in international languages, particularly English, which is widely used in diplomacy, trade, commerce, science, technology, and artificial intelligence.
He highlighted that young leaders would increasingly interact with foreign leaders, parliamentarians, businesses, and visitors, making international communication a crucial skill for the future. Asfia recalled a situation where Malaysian MPs left a Commonwealth parliamentary meeting in Namibia due to language barriers, prompting him to question why Namibians and Africans wouldn't speak Malay.
He cautioned against limiting oneself to immediate surroundings and stressed the need for confidence in engaging and making an impact globally. Asfia also discussed the evolution of governance systems, urging youth to understand how political and governmental systems change rather than taking existing institutions for granted. He explained different forms of democracy, including Malaysia's parliamentary democratic system and the first-past-the-post electoral system, while also touching on the distinction between unitary and federal systems, especially in the context of Sarawak and Sabah's history prior to Malaysia's formation in 1963.
He highlighted the Sarawak DUN's unique multilingual approach, contrasting it with the national Parliament. Asfia urged young people to cultivate a positive culture that values talent and encourages those who are capable to rise to leadership positions. He cited examples of successful minority individuals, like former U.S. President Barack Obama, to emphasize the importance of recognizing and rewarding ability.
Asfia concluded by referencing historical figures like Saidina Abu Bakar and former Indonesian president Sukarno, urging the youth to make full use of their opportunities to acquire knowledge, broaden their horizons, and prepare for leadership roles.
Written by urgent.news from Borneo Post Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
