‘Your country is proud of you’, Anwar tells 22 Malaysians competing at WorldSkills Shanghai

SHANGHAI, Sept 23 — Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed pride in the country's 22 young competitors participating in the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, emphasized that skilled workers are vital to a modern, technology-driven economy. He stated that Malaysia's participation in the competition allows the nation to gauge its standards against the best in the world and identify areas for improvement.

The event, which has been ongoing since 1995, brings together approximately 1,400 young professionals from over 65 countries, highlighting Malaysia's continuous involvement. Anwar highlighted the crucial role of skilled workers in maintaining the smooth operation of machinery and software, even as they become more sophisticated.

He stressed the need to cultivate young individuals with deep technical knowledge and promising career paths, likening the process to nurturing a tree over a long period. The prime minister underscored that young people's energy and dynamism are essential for economic progress and urged society to recognize their contributions beyond just economic advancement.

He also pointed out that youth play a significant role in promoting social justice, addressing wealth disparities, and advocating for poverty eradication.