IF this country wants to succeed, it must be prepared to make the necessary adjustments, Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
“It must evolve to be more dynamic and vibrant. Digitalisation is happening now.
“Our ‘new narrative’ must be to address poverty and inequality, build the economy and embrace digital technology.
“I told a Muslim crowd, about 2,000 of them today, that it is not about race or religion.
“Let some of the ‘old veterans of the old school’ continue to harp on race and religion, but we show them that they are completely irrelevant.
“We appeal to the young to start this ‘new narrative’ and new discourse,” Anwar said in his speech during the inaugural Asia Innovatif+ Summit and Awards at Setia SPICE Convention Centre today. The audience responded with a thunderous applause.
Anwar said he complimented Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for getting more people to be excited about digitalisation.
He also stressed on the importance of ethics in the face of digitalisation.
“Without any concern for ethics and humanity, digitalisation can dehumanise society,” he said.
Anwar was among the many speakers who took part in the event.
Earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow spoke about the Penang2030 vision and how the country was resorting to using creativity, innovation and technology to increase the value of its products and services.
Also present were state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, and Innovatif+ founders Mei Tan and Steve Wee.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi