Education System Must Give Students Space To Think, Reason - PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that the education system needs to provide space for students to think, reason and be brave in expressing their views based on knowledge in order to produce a society capable of thinking critically and bold in upholding the truth.

He also said that in tandem with the country's progress, the education system should not focus solely on examinations and rote memorisation, nor remain trapped in a colonised (terjajah) and rigid (jumud) mindset.

"Jumud means being too obsessed with the old ways and methods. Do not want changes, do not embrace new technology. Not prepared to accept new ideas,” he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025 here today.

As such, Anwar hailed the organisation of the FOI by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), describing it as an important platform to develop fresh and open thinking in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.

Also present were Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

"This FOI is proof of the government's openness in encouraging fresh and bold discourses grounded in values and morality,” he said.

The FOI 2025, held from Nov 4 to tomorrow, is expected to attract nearly 500,000 physical visitors and around two million participants, including 1.5 million virtual participants, worldwide.

Now in its second year, the FOI 2025 is not merely a platform for the exchange of ideas but also a key venue to realise solutions based on knowledge and creativity for the well-being of the people and the progress of the nation.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that Malaysia has become a global focal point as a result of the implementation of its value-based digital transformation policies, in addition to emerging as a regional hub for semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) development.

"AI is a must. If we do not embrace AI, we become jumud (rigid) and will be left behind, but AI must be value-based. AI does not technologise humans, but humanises technology,” said Anwar.

He added that Malaysia can become a great nation if technological advancement is accompanied by human values rooted in the principles of justice and compassion rather than the politics of hatred and the culture of insults and cursing.

"The strength of a nation does not lie in hostility between races or religions, but in the people's ability to uphold human values, as well as fostering a spirit of mutual respect and love,” he added.

-- BERNAMA