PM reminds students that education plays key role in developing civilisation

By: Patrick Beech

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded varsity students that education was not solely for professional purposes, or to gain positions and power.

Speaking at a dialogue with Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UiTM) Student Representative Council at its main campus recently, Anwar said education was a means to develop civilisation and varsity students must play their role in building civilisation based on values, morals, knowledge and manners.

"Students must be the driving force for a new paradigm shift to repeal the idealism of power, position, knowledge and professionalism as a privilege.

"We must change the need for power, position, knowledge and professionalism to become a need to build morals, values and manners.

“You (students) are not just responsible to build your profession and family but also a civilisation, and that civilisation will stand with confidence, high values and knowledge,” he said.

He also pledged to evaluate suggestions to alleviate students’ financial burdens after such concerns were raised during the dialogue.

Anwar also said that he will speak to Transport Minister Anthony Loke about possibly subsidising air fares, especially for students travelling between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak during their years of education.