SIBU: The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) must continue to adapt its role and approach in response to changes in economic, social and talent development to remain relevant in addressing future challenges.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said changing circumstances required SABERKAS to equip the younger generation with new skills and knowledge, particularly in fields that would drive the economy of the future.
He said that since its establishment, SABERKAS had gone through several phases of leadership, with the organisation evolving from efforts to unite youth organisations to placing greater emphasis on leadership training, economic development, technology and talent development.
“Conditions are changing from time to time. That is why SABERKAS also needs to adapt to these changes,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony of the 18th Sarawak SABERKAS Triennial General Assembly at Kingwood Hotel here today (Aug 9).
Abang Johari said that during the era of Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, efforts were made to unite youth organisations under one roof to train and mould young people into responsible individuals.
He said that during the tenure of the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, greater emphasis was placed on leadership training through various symposiums and forums, as well as efforts to involve youth in the growing economic sector at the time.
He said talent development initiatives were also expanded to include the high-tech industry, including sending youth to undergo training in Silicon Valley in the United States.
“After the late Tun Taib, I was entrusted to lead SABERKAS, and we also placed emphasis on training in education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), while looking at how things would change in the future,” he said.
According to him, the approach was important as the younger generation needed to be prepared for global economic changes that were increasingly influenced by technology, data and the demand for highly skilled workers.
Abang Johari added that talent development should also be viewed as a long-term investment to ensure Sarawak had a new generation capable of driving and leading the state’s economy.
“Brothers and sisters, the future is in your hands. That is why we must be brave enough to embrace new things and master the latest technology,” he said.
He stressed that SABERKAS must continue to serve as a platform for producing young people capable of creating and developing new innovations, rather than merely being users of technology.
“The approach is in line with Sarawak’s aspirations to become a more competitive economic player at both regional and global levels,” he said.
