CYBERJAYA: Malaysia must ensure its younger generation is trained and exposed to new technological disciplines as the country moves into an era of rapid technological change, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the youth needed greater exposure to the world and new fields as technologies such as AI, quantum computing and cyber defence continued to reshape the country.
“This means our children and the younger generation must have new exposure to the world and new disciplines,” he said at Telekom Malaysia’s (TM) 80th anniversary celebration held at Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Multimedia (MMU) Cyberjaya, here yesterday.
Anwar said Malaysia had the skills, expertise and know-how needed to train its young people and institutions should make full use of these capabilities to prepare the next generation.
“The skills are here, the expertise is here and the know-how is here. Make use of it so that smart management in their respective fields and disciplines can train our children,” he said.
He said TM’s transformation from a telecommunications provider into a digital and AI-driven company showed how Malaysian institutions could adapt to rapid technological change.
The Prime Minister said this meant Malaysia could not afford to stand still, adding that the country must remain dynamic and constantly strive for excellence.
He said the need for change was reflected in the Islamic principle of striving for excellence, which should become part of the culture not only in universities but also in companies and institutions.
Anwar also called for a culture that rejected complacency at all levels, saying Malaysia had to move strongly and swiftly if it wanted to raise its standing.
He warned against what he described as a “culture of contentment”, where institutions became comfortable with their achievements and tolerated weaknesses.
“Sometimes an agency or company loses RM10bil or RM12bil, but we still say, ‘Okay, it’s fine.’ No, it cannot be that way.
“This culture will not make us comfortable. It will destroy us,” he cautioned.
Anwar said Malaysia could not advance by maintaining slow systems and tolerating weaknesses, stressing that good governance and a drive for excellence were essential to the country’s progress.
He said TM’s eight-decade journey showed how rapidly technology and national needs had changed, from traditional telecommunications to digital technology, AI and other emerging fields.
Anwar also recalled the government’s decision to privatise the then Jabatan Telekom, saying the exercise had to go beyond profitability and efficiency.
“Profit and efficiency are not in question. But first and foremost, it is the welfare of workers,” he said.
He said the government had back then decided that major national entities such as PETRONAS, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and TM should set a different example of privatisation.
Anwar said higher profits should translate into better returns and benefits for workers, including improvements in housing, wages and opportunities for their children.
“Does privatisation, with much higher profits, provide better returns and benefits for workers? Can workers’ housing be improved? Are their wages and salaries more rewarding? What about their children, their schooling, welfare and education?” he remarked.
He said privatisation should not become a means of concentrating wealth among those at the top while marginalising workers.
TM chairman Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Putih said technological advancement had to be matched by efforts to equip Malaysians with the skills and opportunities to benefit from it.
“Technology only truly matters when its benefits reach people and when our people themselves can create the future with it,” he said.
