KUCHING, Sept 16: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) whip chief Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof hopes for the youth and the next generation to be greater empowered for the development of the country.
In his Malaysia Day message, Fadillah said every youth could make a difference in Sarawak, and Malaysia, if they are empowered to explore their values and share their opinions while respecting others.
“Youths of today have travelled more than the generations before them and definitely have a better understanding and exposure to the wider world through technology and social media.
“Hence it is imperative that we should not just stop at only empowering our youths with the appropriate tools, but also help them develop the passion for social advocacy and community development which creates a sense of interdependence amongst them so that they know how to collaborate peacefully and solve problems cohesively despite the differences in culture, religion and background,” he said.
If this is practised, Fadillah said, it would be a life-changing opportunity for all Sarawakians.
He also hoped that one day Malaysia as a whole would share the same beliefs and values as Sarawak.
Fadillah said a value which is uniquely Sarawakian that could be shared with the rest of the country is the great diversity of cultures and perspectives, where people should not be subject to life-threatening situations just because of where they were born or who they were born to.
He pointed out the importance of sustainability harnessed for the next generation who would be inheriting the role of caretakers for the next generation.
“In today’s world where there are increased human conflicts, poverty, climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, it is my hope that all of us if given the opportunity will play a role in building Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole. Our country needs to develop and empower all Sarawakians and Malaysians to become global citizens in facing these challenges adequately.
“Everyone of us, individually and collectively can make not only Sarawak or Malaysia a better place for everyone equally and equitably, but also the world,” said Fadillah. — DayakDaily
