SADONG JAYA: Parents should ensure their children receive both Quranic education and modern learning, including skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy, to prepare them for Sarawak’s future workforce.
Batang Sadong Member of Parliament Rodiyah Sapiee said the state’s rapid development requires skilled professionals and future leaders who are guided by strong religious values and moral character.
“We want to produce a young generation who are not only able to read the Quran, but also understand its teachings while mastering technological skills,” she said at the Tahsin Qiraat Al-Quran Perdana Programme at Dewan Sri Laila, SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud on Thursday.
She noted that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg consistently emphasises emerging fields like AI and green energy as key economic drivers.
However, she stressed that academic and technical excellence should never come at the expense of religious education.
“Knowledge and good character must go hand in hand. However knowledgeable we are, without good manners and values, that knowledge is incomplete,” she said.
Rodiyah added that Sarawak’s progress should not be measured solely by physical infrastructure, but also by the moral and spiritual development of its people.
“As we build roads and bridges, we must also build an ethical, knowledgeable society. Physical and spiritual development must progress together,” she added.
She encouraged parents to take advantage of state education initiatives, including free tertiary education, while ensuring their children receive proper Quranic guidance to navigate modern challenges like social media influence.
Commending the MIS and Darul Hana Al-Quran Development Centre for bringing Quranic learning to local communities, Rodiyah welcomed the establishment of 228 Anjung Ngaji centres statewide, hoping more will open in Batang Sadong.
She further reminded the public that learning has no age limit and encouraged adults not to feel embarrassed about pursuing religious knowledge.
“As MP for Batang Sadong, I will continue supporting Islamic education initiatives to strengthen the development of the ummah in this constituency,” she said.
