Dr M: Young people can get a ‘somewhat derailed world’ back on track

SHAH ALAM: It is young people who can pave the way to a better future, by sticking to their core ideals and values in a world sorely in need of them, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said it was crucial that youths realise that if they were able to retain their ideals and values, there would be hope for a somewhat “derailed world to get back on track and give humanity a chance”.

He said noble values were important in development.

“I believe if we possess good values, and we inculcate them in our way of life, and in turn, they then become a habit, we can be assured that our society is on the right track, ” he said.

Dr Mahathir added that young people must be able to remain competitive and capable of taking on the rest of the world while maintaining their values and noble ideas.

“If values and noble ideas are cast aside in the rat race, we will end up a nation bereft of all that is humane and compassionate, as well as without humility and sensitivity, ” he said.

Dr Mahathir added that he dreaded to imagine what kind of monsters would be produced in the future if negative values and counterculture were the order of the day.

“Therefore, to become real leaders, we need to ensure that we stick to noble values while keeping up to date with the changes that are affecting us, ” he said.

He also said that besides being intelligent, a good leader would need to know and have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and evil.

He said everyone was a leader at some point of time in their lives.

“To me, leadership is not rocket science. It is about everyday values, ” he said in his speech at the opening of the 10th University Scholars Leadership Symposium 2019 here on Friday (Aug 2).

The Prime Minister was addressing some 1, 000 student leaders from around the world who gathered for the week-long symposium that revolves around the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the symposium was designed for young persons around the world who were committed to making the world a much better place for all mankind.

“It is indeed a pleasure to see the young investing time to learn leadership skills and cultivate awareness of current issues, primarily on social development and humanitarian efforts that are being discussed at this symposium, ” he added.

According to Dr Mahathir, there has been much emphasis in recent times on the need for youths to prepare themselves to face the disruptions from the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, from artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, automation and other technological advancements.

“We have also reminded ourselves and the younger generation that if we do not keep abreast, we will be left behind in the global race and that will result in economic backwardness and even poverty, ” he said.

He also said that Malaysia’s multiracial society has faced many threats of destabilisation but has always prevailed.

“Yes, there have been setbacks and attempts by bigots and zealots to divide and undermine our unity and common objectives, but Alhamdulillah (God willing), we have prevailed and we are able to stay on course to showcase a nation that is united in its diversity, ” he said.

Malaysia was a place where different races came and stayed on, making the tagline “Malaysia, Truly Asia” a reality.

The symposium, themed “Together We Serve”, is being hosted by the Education Ministry in collaboration with Humanitarian Affairs Asia and Universiti Kuala Lumpur.