SIBU: Young Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) members have been told to look beyond first aid skills and develop the resilience, discipline and compassion needed to become the humanitarian leaders of tomorrow.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said humanitarian service was ultimately about having the right mindset and the courage to act when others were in need.
“Humanitarian service is not only about knowing what to do with a first aid kit. It is also about developing the right mindset, having the courage to act and understanding that our actions can make a difference in another person’s life,” he said at the opening of the MRCS Sarawak Chapter Convention 2026 here today.
He was represented by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee.
The convention hosted by MRCS Sibu Branch brings together young members from across the state, including Lundu, Stampin, Serian, Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Sri Aman, Kapit, Sarikei and Limbang.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the convention’s theme, ‘Stronger Minds, Smarter Humanitarian Action’, was particularly relevant to young people growing up in a rapidly changing world.
He said qualities such as confidence, discipline, resilience, responsibility and compassion would serve young Red Crescent members well beyond their involvement in the organisation.
He pointed out that technology might transform how people communicate and access information, but it could never replace the human instinct to care for someone in distress.
“Technology may change the way we communicate, but it should never change the way we care,” he said.
Using a school emergency as an example, Dr Sim said a trained Red Crescent member could become the difference between panic and a measured response when a classmate suddenly collapsed during a sporting activity.
While other students might freeze, panic or reach for their phones, he said a trained member could remain calm, assess the situation, summon help and provide basic first aid while waiting for professional assistance.
“That student may not be a doctor or paramedic. That student may simply be a secondary school student who decided to join the Red Crescent and take the training seriously. But at that moment, that student can make a difference. This is why your training matters,” he said.
Dr Sim said such preparedness was important because first aid knowledge might not be used every day, but could become critical when an emergency struck.
He also stressed that the value of the Red Crescent movement extended beyond emergency response, describing volunteerism as an important platform for developing young people’s character and leadership.
He said young members learned to work with others, listen, take responsibility, respect differences and put the needs of others ahead of their own.
“These are the foundations of leadership. And I want all of you to understand that leadership does not begin when you become an adult. Leadership begins now,” he said.
He urged MRCS Sarawak to give young members greater opportunities to take charge of activities, make decisions and learn from their mistakes, saying future leaders could not be developed without being given the opportunity to lead.
“The leaders of tomorrow must be given opportunities to lead today,” he said.
Looking ahead, he called on the MRCS Sarawak Chapter to further expand youth participation in community programmes, first aid education, health awareness, disaster preparedness and humanitarian initiatives.
He said stronger youth programmes would help ensure that young Sarawakians were not merely prepared to respond to emergencies, but were equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.
Among those present were MRCS Sarawak Chapter’s Director, Chai King Sing; MRCS Sarawak Chapter’s Assistant Director, Ng Pei Sze; and MRCS Sibu Branch’s Chairman, Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee.
