KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — Political literacy must be strengthened to ensure Malaysia does not lack future high-calibre leaders to boost progress.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said he wants more political literacy programmes held to educate young leaders to be aware of issues around them.
[caption id="attachment_373258" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari speaks at the Pondok Siyasah programme in Kuala Lumpur on September 21, 2024. — Picture by SUHAILA SHAHRUL ANNUAR/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“Our desire to think about the country, community and future generation is a commendable trait and should be encouraged.
“Use your (appropriate) space to bring about change. For example, I, as the menteri besar, do what I can in my role. You — as a mother, father, community member — try to direct change towards an appropriate benefit at your level,” he said at the special dialogue session, Pondok Siyasah with Dato’ Menteri Besar, here yesterday.
Participant Muhammad Ridhwan Rohaizat, 23, said Pondok Sisayah covered many matters that not only gave him new knowledge but clarification on several topics.
[caption id="attachment_373257" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Pondok Sisayah with Dato’ Menteri Besar participant Muhammad Ridhwan Rohaizat, 23, speaks to the media after the event in Kuala Lumpur on September 21, 2024. — Picture by SUHAILA SHAHRUL ANNUAR/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“For example, in the aspect of Islamic politics, how open is it and where are the limits for us to practise it in politics.
“For leadership, there was a module that teaches us to think based on the constitution, which opened my eyes to the importance of understanding our country’s constitution,” he said.
Yarmouk University (Jordan) graduate Nurul Huda Veddin, 24, said Pondok Siyasah is closely linked to the development of a nation-state.
“When we have lived for years in another country, sometimes we feel detached from the realities in our home country and will experience culture shock.
“Through this programme, I feel reconnected and find more meaning in my identity as a Malaysian,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_373256" align="aligncenter" width="1179"]
Pondok Sisayah with Dato’ Menteri Besar participant Nurul Huda Veddin, 24, speaks to the media after the event in Kuala Lumpur on September 21, 2024. — Picture by SUHAILA SHAHRUL ANNUAR/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Pondok Siyasah is among the political education programmes that spread literacy on moderate Islamic politics and connections between ancient Islamic schools of thought and discourse, including the contextual realities in Malaysia.
The programme, which began early last year, contains modules built to address extremism and communicate the literal understanding of Islamic political texts sans Malaysian contexts.
