Young people should shape the future

SIBU: Young people should not merely be beneficiaries of future development here but should have a voice in shaping the city’s direction.

Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek said a vibrant city could not be built solely through physical infrastructure, but also depended on people with ideas, creativity and aspirations.

“A community with vitality cannot only have beautiful buildings and complete infrastructure. More importantly, it needs people, dreams, creativity and the participation of young people,” he said at the Mid-Autumn Festival Night jointly organised by Farley Sibu and the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong Youth Wing at the Farley stage along Jalan Salim here on Saturday (Sept 19).

The event, themed “Joining Hands and Hearts, Celebrating Mid-Autumn Through the Arts”, also featured the third edition of the Mid-Autumn Talent Competition, bringing together 14 contestants who showcased their talents through singing, dancing, music and martial arts.

While the performances lasted only a few minutes each, Chieng said such opportunities could represent an important first step for young people to discover and develop their talents.

“For a young person, having talent is one thing, but having the opportunity to showcase that talent is another,” he said.

He said the organisers’ efforts went beyond staging a talent competition by creating a platform for young people to step forward.

Chieng said the same principle should guide the city’s broader development.

“We should not only build a Sibu where people can live. We should build a Sibu where young people are willing to stay, return, start businesses and pursue their dreams,” he said.

Referring to the recent announcement on the establishment of the Sibu Economic Region, he said the first phase, involving RM1.5 billion in allocations, would support efforts to rejuvenate the city and transform its economy.

However, he stressed that the investment should be viewed beyond its immediate economic value.

“We should not see the RM1.5 billion simply as an investment. We should also see the ‘future’ behind that investment,” he said.

He said the investment should create opportunities for the next generation to remain in Sibu after graduation, pursue entrepreneurship, develop their creative talents and find platforms to express themselves.

“A young person who graduates should have the choice to stay and develop in Sibu. A creative young person should be able to start a business here. Someone passionate about arts and culture should be able to find a stage here,” he said.

Chieng said young people should also be involved in discussions on the city’s development, economic transformation and cultural preservation.

“How should the city develop? Young people should have a voice. How should the economy transform? Young people should have opportunities. How should culture be passed on? Young people should step forward,” he said.

He urged young people to use existing opportunities to share their knowledge, put their creativity into action, showcase their talents and work towards their dreams.

He said the contestants might not know whether their performances would change their lives, but they had already taken an important first step by having the courage to participate.

He also thanked the organisers, participating units, committee members, sponsors, parents and volunteers for their contributions towards making the event possible.

He encouraged the community to continue creating more platforms for young people.

“May Sibu be more beautiful because of its young people, and may its future be shaped by them,” he added.
Among those present were Farley Group chairman, Lau Siew Whye; SUPP Dudong Branch Adviser, Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck; and SUPP Dudong Branch Chairman, Councillor Wong Ching Yong.