Strengthen English for future leadership, youth told

KUCHING: Young Sarawakians aspiring to become future leaders should strengthen their command of English to engage effectively on national and international platforms.

Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said exposure to parliamentary democracy is equally important in preparing the younger generation for leadership.

“My emphasis is on parliamentary democracy, what we have, and the use of the English language so that they can participate in the United Nations, in ASEAN, in Kuala Lumpur and in this building,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the Aku Kasih Malaysia: Pimpinan Belia Negeri Sarawak seminar at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Auditorium here today (Sept 22).

Mohamad Asfia said English remains an important international language, particularly as young people seek access to knowledge and developments in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI).

“You want to know about AI, it is in English. You want to meet Chinese leaders, it is in English.

“You cannot have a system fast enough to translate new books every year and new words every year,” he stressed.

He added that young people today would eventually take on leadership roles, making their preparation for those responsibilities important.

“The youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. But what sort of leadership you have depends on what society, the government and the country can do for them so that they are better prepared to lead Sarawak and Malaysia in the future,” he said.

During the programme, a Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak student asked Asfia what young Sarawakians aspiring to become state leaders should develop in terms of knowledge, experience and character.

Mohamad Asfia said there is no simple answer, as leadership is shaped over time by a person’s experiences, beliefs and choices.

He said decisions involving language, career and other aspects of life could ultimately influence the path a young person takes.

“This question cannot be answered in this forum.

“It can only be practised and learned throughout the years of your youth because each concept, each belief will take you in a different direction,” he said.

The seminar, organised by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, involved students from public and private higher education institutions in Kuching and Samarahan.

It aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of nationhood, civic responsibility and leadership, while exposing young people to their role in national development.