Call To Asean To Shape World-Class Future Leaders

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Asean member states must enhance the potential of their younger generation to ensure that the future leaders of the regional grouping are of world class and globally competitive. Information Communication and Culture Minister of Malaysia Dr Rais Yatim said well-informed and knowledgeable youths would be an asset to the nation. In the context of Malaysia, he said, the government had explicitly emphasised developing human capital -- to have highly skilled, responsive and creative human capital to cater to economic changes with knowledge and the K-economy as a fundamental component. Dr Rais said this in his speech at the national-level Asean Quiz 2012 held at Angkasapuri here, Tuesday. The text of his speech was read out by the deputy minister, Joseph Salang. Dr Rais said the Asean Quiz helped to create awareness and promoted a better understanding of the role and functions of Asean. He said that besides allowing students to gain information on Asean's current and regional issues and developments, it was also one of the best ways to cultivate the reading habit in them. "It is also discovered that this programme enables participants to compete in a conducive manner, in the true spirit of national and regional brotherhood," he said. Speaking to reporters later, Salang said he believed that more students from the rural areas would participate future competitions as the ministry was among the parties responsible for providing broadband access in schools. Salang said the quiz could help remove the borders among the younger generation in the region and help establish an Asean family. At today's competition, Brandon Ling Kei Chai of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Methodist, Sibu, was adjudged the champion. His classmate, Emilia Muhd Arif Stephen, came in second while Nabil Ersyad Noor Eddie Putera of Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya, was third. All three winners will represent Malaysia at the regional-level Asean Quiz 2012 to be held in Cambodia in August. This year, about 7,700 students aged between 15 and 17 years took part in the national competition, which required them to answer questions online. The Asean Quiz is among the activities implemented under the Asean Committee on Culture and Information (Asean COCI). The first competition was held in 2002 in Bangkok. Malaysia hosted the event in 2006. -- BERNAMA