“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
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By Zaabar Ballia
HISTORY was made at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) when, for the very first time, the august chamber played host to a Student Parliament Sitting, marking the third term, Session 1, of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch’s Student Parliament.
This significant occasion was not only symbolic but also visionary, planting seeds of democratic maturity and civic responsibility among Malaysia’s future leaders.
What particularly struck me was the powerful and insightful address by DUN Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia
He stressed that before one even aspires to become an elected representative, it is imperative to first understand the sanctity, structure, and procedures of parliamentary democracy.
According to Asfia, a well-prepared representative must do more than merely show up, they must present themselves with dignity, articulate with clarity, and debate with substance.
A true leader, he said, should carry the aura of charisma and command attention, even from the opposition.
Citing figures like Syaidina Abu Bakar, Sukarno and Mao Zedong, he reminded the students that leadership is a fusion of moral character, strategic thinking, and oratorical prowess.
Asfia went on to explain democracy and the bicameral parliamentary system, contextualising Malaysia’s legislature within the Westminster model.
More than a theory, he provided a living experience, allowing the students to absorb the atmosphere of an actual legislative debate, thus preparing them not to be pelanduk masuk kampung (unfamiliar and out of place) but rather, confident and competent.
He asserted that the Sarawak State Assembly is the sole state assembly in Malaysia that employs both Bahasa Melayu and English without formal authorisation (dengan izin, as commonly heard in the Malaysian Parliament), and may utilise native dialects as appropriate to underscore a point.
The advantage lies in enhancing the national language rather than diminishing it, so enriching both Malay and English.
This initiative brought together 150 student leaders from UiTM Sarawak, including presidents and vice-presidents of various student bodies. It is worth noting that this was not a mere simulation; it was real-life civic education in action.
These young leaders were entrusted with organising, managing, and executing the entire parliamentary sitting, reflecting a deeper level of empowerment and trust in their capabilities.
UiTM Sarawak Rector, Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah, aptly described the Student Parliament as a high-impact platform for nurturing future leaders.
He noted that it not only enhances students’ grasp of democratic institutions, but also fosters a culture of responsibility, collaboration, and visionary thinking, qualities essential for navigating the professional world.
What I witnessed was the Speaker’s sincere desire to build a generation of young leaders, equipped not just with academic credentials, but with the gravitas to lead debates, propose motions, and engage with societal issues through informed and passionate discourse.
This is how we must build the Malaysia of tomorrow, by planting the roots of leadership today.
Zaabar Ballia is a political activist, freelance writer, and geopolitical analyst who writes at his own speed and convenience in order to present issues in a fair and appropriate context. The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. You can reach the writer via email atazballia@gmail.com