LONG LAMA: Sarawak is stepping up efforts to counter misinformation among rural youth, with state leaders warning that unchecked digital influence could undermine the next generation’s ability to compete in an increasingly complex information landscape.
The push was reinforced through the SABERKAS Reach Out 2026 programme, which brought together more than 290 participants — including 186 students, 12 teachers, 61 youth and 32 members of the public — in the remote Telang Usan constituency.
Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau said initiatives such as SABERKAS Reach Out are becoming critical platforms to equip young people, particularly in rural areas, with the ability to navigate today’s fast-moving information environment.
“In today’s environment, information moves fast, but accuracy does not always follow,” he said.
“If our youth cannot distinguish fact from misinformation, it will directly affect their decisions, their future and ultimately the development of our state, ” he said.
His remarks reflect a broader concern within Sarawak’s leadership that rapid digital expansion is outpacing the readiness of rural communities to manage information risks.
While connectivity has improved in interior regions, programmes like SABERKAS Reach Out 2026 signal a shift towards building digital literacy and critical thinking as core competencies among youth.
Dennis framed the issue as both a development challenge and a governance priority.
“Bridging the gap is no longer just about infrastructure. It is about mindset, awareness and the ability to think critically,” he said.
The staging of SABERKAS Reach Out 2026 in Long Lama — its first in Telang Usan — underscores growing urgency to prepare rural youth for a more competitive national and global environment.
Students from interior communities often face structural disadvantages, including limited exposure and fewer educational resources. Without targeted intervention, these gaps risk widening as economies become more knowledge-driven.
“The reality is the world they are entering is far more competitive. If we do not prepare them now with the right skills and thinking, they will be left behind,” Dennis said.
At the same time, he urged youth to remain grounded in their cultural identity while adapting to change.
The programme aligns with the Sarawak government’s broader development strategy under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, which places education, talent development and digital transformation at the centre of its economic roadmap.
State-backed platforms such as SABERKAS are increasingly being leveraged to deliver outreach programmes like SABERKAS Reach Out to communities beyond urban centres.
These initiatives are designed not only to motivate students, but to embed soft skills, civic awareness and information literacy at grassroots level.
