SIBU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg minces no words when he says the state’s future is in the hands of the youths.
“You are very important to us. You are our valuable asset of the future. Let us work together so that when our youths have a brighter and better future, the state will be in good hands,”Johari told 5,000 youths who gathered at the Sibu Indoor Stadium for the State-level Youth Day 2018 yesterday.
“The future of our community, our state and our country is in your hands. This is the very reason why the State Government and the leaders are always thinking about the future of our youths and are very concerned about their future.
“All of this will take a lot of hard work and patience. All of us will have to play our roles in order to see these (efforts) through simply because co-operation and support must be given by all parties in order to make things happen,” he said.
On the Youth Day celebration, he said it was to recognise the contributions of youths to Sarawak’s development.
“We are happy to have this year’s Youth Day celebration in Sibu simply because the locals are supportive towards this social event. The unity of the locals is showing the true spirit of unity in diversity,” he said.
Also present at the event were the Chief Minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, International Trade and E-Commerce Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
On TEDxKENYALANG, Johari said the youths’ ICT creativity must be harnessed to be global players.
He said because he recognised their exceptional talents, he had set up a venture capital fund of RM5mil for them.
“We know you have the talent. We recognise your talent, so we are willing to support you to do what you want to be global players,” he said to thunderous applause.
“If Finland can do it, our Sarawak can also do it. That’s why I’m confident that we can command modern technology,” he said.
He assured that the state would look to upgrade Internet speed as this fundamental to facilitating business in the digital era.
