LAWAS: Young people must embrace modern knowledge and technology while remaining rooted in Sarawak’s cultural identity and heritage.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said youth are an important asset and the inheritors of Sarawak’s future, making it essential to equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute to the state’s development.
He said activities organised under the Gerakan Massa Masyarakat Desa (GEMA) programme, including the GEMA Fun Run, Scavenger Hunt and GEMA Gemerlapan, provided opportunities for young people to develop discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, creativity and competitiveness.
“These activities are not merely forms of entertainment. They help build discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, creativity and competitiveness,” he said at the GEMA programme organised in conjunction with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Sarawak 2026 programme at Kampung Awat-Awat, here today (Nov 14).
Awang Tengah also encouraged young people in Lawas not to limit their ambitions because they came from rural communities.
He said success today was no longer determined by where a person was born, but by their knowledge, skills, attitude, courage and determination.
He urged them to make use of available opportunities, improve their skills and build networks so they could contribute not only to their own success but also to their families and communities.
At the same time, he stressed that the pursuit of progress should not come at the expense of Sarawak’s cultural heritage and traditions.
He said the state possessed a rich and unique cultural heritage, with activities such as traditional weaving demonstrations and competitions, traditional cooking demonstrations and Ambuyat providing opportunities for younger generations to learn about their roots.
“We want our children to be modern in their thinking and technology, while remaining firmly grounded in their identity and sense of belonging,” he said.
