KUCHING: Parents must equip their children with not only knowledge but also the skills necessary to navigate future challenges in this increasingly digital era, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said this preparation was essential to ensure Sarawak’s youth were informed and cautious about the risks of social media and job scams.
“We must master technology, especially given the challenges with the rise of social media. There are many challenges now, including scams.
“I have handled numerous cases involving Sarawak youth getting trapped by social media scams promising job offers or better earnings, only to end up as victims.
“Some ended up in Myanmar, Laos, and even South America, forced to work in harsh conditions, sometimes under threat for not meeting targets,” he said during a Deepavali Dinner hosted by the Indian Association Kuching (IAK) at their hall at Jalan Rock on Saturday night.
Fadillah stressed that the community at large must be aware about these issues and stay informed on current technological advancements.
“Information spreads rapidly today, but it also brings challenges, with criminals exploiting it to lure our youth into unsafe environments.
“As parents, we have a responsibility to enhance our own knowledge and skills in ICT,” he added.
He also encouraged parents to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among their children given the growing demand for skills in these areas.
“When we talk about ICT, it’s not just simple programming. We need engineers, IT specialists, data scientists for analytics and AI experts. These are the future professions that will prepare our children,” he said.
He also affirmed his readiness to help by facilitating knowledge and skills-sharing sessions with experts brought to Sarawak should any associations wished to organise such programmes.
