KUCHING: The Malay community in Sarawak needs to equip themselves and their children with knowledge and skills to ensure they are able to compete with other races in the development of the region.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that education is the main 'weapon' in strengthening competitiveness, especially among Malay children so that they are not left behind or left behind in the rapid development trend being driven by the Sarawak Government.

"I want the Malays, especially the Malay community, to see where we stand in the future.

"The world has changed, and to compete, we must dare to change our minds and equip ourselves with knowledge and skills.

"That is why we in the government emphasise the importance of education. If we want to find a competitive spirit, we must equip ourselves to compete with others," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Samarindok Aidilfitri 1446/2025m Ceremony organised by the Amanat Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS) at a leading hotel here on Wednesday night.

The Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi were also present to enliven the ceremony.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that the Sarawak Government has provided various educational facilities and infrastructure in areas with a majority Malay and Bumiputera population, including access to free higher education at local universities.

He explained that the ability of Malay children to compete does not depend on their background, but on their opportunities and willingness to work hard and take advantage of the education system provided.

"We open this opportunity to all Sarawakians, as long as they have a 'K' identity card. Malay children should not be afraid.

"They must be confident that they are able to compete and cooperate with other races in the same conditions in terms of finances and knowledge," he explained.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari insisted that change can only be achieved when there is awareness and willingness within a race to improve itself, in line with the principles mentioned in the Quran.

"Allah will not change the fate of a race, unless the race itself changes its fate. So I believe, Malays can do it,” he said.

Also present were the wife of the Sarawak Premier, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Ministers, AKYBMS Deputy Chairman, Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais, AKYBMS Charitable Trust General Manager, Datu Dr. Sanib Said and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews