Malays told to embrace technology
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged the Malay community to embrace technology so that they are not left behind.
Using the ‘buku 555’, an IOU book used to record debts in days gone by, as an analogy he said they should now switch to modern technology like Sarawak Pay for financial transactions by smartphone applications, besides using the smartphone for communication and other things.
“We need to keep up with the changes and new ways of doing things. Back in the days we used Buku Tiga Lima when owing people. Now we need to change from that to smartphones. To do this, we need knowledge,” he said at the closing of the 7th Sarawak Malay Culture Seminar at a hotel here yesterday.
He believes that Malay youths are skilled in using information technology like internet tycoon Jack Ma and Bill Gates.
To ensure that digital economy can be implemented in Sarawak, he said the state government will build 600 telecommunication towers next year.
“This is one of the initiatives to boost the people’s economic level and cross border trade.
“Malay products cannot be marketed just within the state or country, but to the world. Via digital technology, I believe we can cross borders.”
Aside from that, he also stressed on equality in administration as how it is taught in Islam.
He said the religion stressed that being a responsible Muslim includes being fair to non-Muslims.
“The other races have different needs, Malays have different needs. My service (as a leader) is not different from one race to another, it must be fair and square.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that though the seminar is held once every five years, it receives extraordinary response from the Malays as it serves as an important platform in leading the direction of the Sarawak Malays.
“This platform is important to recognise and analyse trends, issues and challenges faced by the Malays and at the same time deciding the direction of the future of Sarawak Malays.”
At the same time, he said the theme of the seminar ‘Managing Culture in the Digital Era’ was appropriate and timely for the young generation of Malays and a reminder for the older generation to keep up with the times.
He hopes the seminar will benefit the Malay community in the aspects of education, economy, socio- cultural and welfare.
At the event, Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS) general manager Datu Dr Sanib Said announced several of the 70 resolutions from the seminar.
Among them were implementing ‘fardu ain’ classes (religious classes) and to ensure all children know how to read the Quran and basic religious studies, for parents to be fully involved in their children’s education from preschool to secondary school level, and for women to hold 30 per cent of administrative posts and in politics.
Present at the event were Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; State Secretary Tan Sri Morshidi Abdul Ghani; Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Enterprise ( SME) Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais; Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus and Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
The 3- day seminar was organised by AKYBMS. It was attended by 1,000 Malays from Kuching to Lawas.