Sabah’s Future Leaders: Empowering Youth Through Innovation and Education

Dewan Rakyat Speaker (left) speaking to reporters

23 November 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul outlined a bold vision for cultivating the next generation of Sabah’s leaders, emphasising the pivotal role of education, technology, and proactive societal engagement.

Speaking to reporters after a NADI event at Kg Kopimpinan Putatan on Saturday, Dr Johari underscored the importance of bringing technological access to all, particularly in remote areas. "If people cannot go to technology due to distance, then NADI brings the technology to them," he stated, highlighting the programme’s efforts to democratise digital access and create equal opportunities for Sabah’s youth.

He stressed the significance of empowering university students, viewing them as future leaders across various sectors, including politics, industry, arts, and finance. “We believe university students should be trained to become leaders,” he said, asserting that early leadership development accelerates societal progress. “By the time they understand what NADI is about, the multiplying effect will be faster,” he added.

Dr Johari revealed that the government’s initiatives include a series called “Nurturing the Future Leaders,” which aims to instill leadership qualities from a young age. “Leaders are not born but made,” he affirmed, emphasising the importance of training individuals from an early stage to serve both community and national interests.

He touched on the Youth Parliament, with current participation having increased from 100 to over 220 members. These young representatives are expected to debate issues relevant to Malaysia’s youth, from aspirations to policy proposals, which are then channelled to national policymakers.

Further initiatives involve university-based political parties, with plans to establish seven new parties at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, as part of a broader effort to foster grassroots political engagement. The programme aims to nurture young leaders who will eventually shape Malaysia’s national future.

Looking at the broader picture, Dr Johari dismissed complacency, urging society to act boldly and invest in youth development. “We cannot expect different results by doing the same thing,” he warned. “Change requires courage.”

He also highlighted the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship, advocating training programmes that teach young Malaysians how to create sustainable ecosystems for their ideas, with support from agencies such as TEKUN and SME Bank. “Ideas are limitless; money is not,” he said, emphasising that nurturing innovative thinking is key to Sabah’s future growth.

In addressing political dynamics, Dr Johari clarified that recent developments are not influencing his programme, which remains focused on youth empowerment and leadership.

He concluded with a call to action: “We must move now. The future leaders of Sabah and Malaysia are being shaped today. We cannot wait for five or ten years, the time is now.”

As Sabah charts its course towards a future led by well-informed, proactive youth, the emphasis remains clear: dissemination of information, education, and innovation are the pillars that will build the leaders of tomorrow.