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Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Rentap: English literacy vital for Sarawak to meet demands of globalised, tech-driven world
Rentap (third left) said SELC 2025 will involve internationally renowned speakers sharing valuable methodologies and global best practices. KUCHING (July 18): English literacy plays a pivotal role in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world, said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu. The Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said Sarawak will require a highly skilled workforce especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, focusing on economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' he said in a statement to promote the Sarawak English Literary Conference (SELC) 2025 on Sept 17-19. Rentap, who is an SELC 2025 advisor, said STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood. According to him, introducing synthetic phonics at an early age has proven effective in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning. He said SELC 2025 will bring in internationally renowned speakers in phonics, education, and STEM — all of whom will share valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity,' he said. Rentap also spoke on the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, asserting that a strong education system depends not only on the curriculum but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to artificial intelligence, then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them,' he said. He thanked the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development; Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development; Sarawak State Education Department; and Business Events Sarawak for supporting the event. With the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak from next year, he said the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is more crucial than ever. 'We want our youth to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. If they are equipped with strong English skills and a foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' added Rentap. SELC 2025 is designed as a strategic platform to support the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to elevate English language proficiency across all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary. It aspires to influence future educational policies and strategies, helping to position Sarawak as a knowledge-forward and future-ready state by 2030. For more information and registration details, visit or call Emierson on 082-555189 or email [email protected]. Gerald Rentap Jabu lead Sarawak English Literary Conference
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Borneo Junior Open squash tourney records most entries, 167 players from overseas
KUCHING (July 17): The Borneo Junior Open Squash Tournament has recorded its highest-ever turnout, said Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He said 346 junior players from across Malaysia and 167 international players from 16 countries are competing in this year's edition. The growing participation reflects Sarawak's potential as a host for high-profile international sporting events, he said. 'This event provides a great platform for both local and international junior squash players to come together in Kuching for competitive games,' he said during the tournament's welcoming dinner last night. The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this is a proud moment for Sarawak, not just because of the numbers, but because it places Sarawak firmly on the international squash map. He thanked the Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS), Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, and long-time sponsor Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) for their commitment to developing the tournament. Abdul Karim said the state government would continue to support the organisation of both national and international sporting events in Sarawak. He also revealed that plans are in motion to upgrade squash facilities in the state to accommodate more courts and enable Sarawak to host more international-level events in future. 'We want to be ready and we want to make Sarawak a sports powerhouse,' he said. The 8th Borneo Junior Open 2025 Squash Tournament will run until July 20. Returning nations competing this year are Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, and the United States, while Canada, New Zealand, Russia, and Sri Lanka are making their debut appearances at the championship.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Government urged to ban drug-laced vape products in Malaysia
KUCHING: The federal government has been urged to introduce strict laws prohibiting vape products laced with illegal substances like synthetic drugs. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted the growing misuse of vape, particularly among young people, as a serious public health issue. 'Vape was initially promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, but it has now been exploited for drug abuse and addiction,' he said. Abdul Karim, who also leads the Sarawak chapter of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), stressed the need for urgent legal action following a State Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) meeting. He suggested that authorities consider either a complete ban on vape or restrict it to nicotine-based products, similar to regulated tobacco items. 'A blanket ban may not be practical since some users consume vape responsibly. However, if it involves illegal substances like 'magic mushrooms' or synthetic drugs, strict laws must be enforced,' he added. The 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed that Sarawak has the highest vape usage rate among Malaysian teens aged 13 to 17, with 20.3% prevalence, affecting an estimated 39,608 individuals. - Bernama
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Abd Karim: Sarawak maintains 40-year youth age cap despite federal shift
Abdul Karim (seated third left) with other guests in a photocall with youths after officiating at the BELIA GoBiz@Limbang 2025 programme held at Dewan Suarah in Limbang yesterday. MIRI (July 13): Sarawak will maintain its current youth age limit of 40, despite the federal government's decision to lower the national youth age cap to 30, which is set to take effect in January next year. Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak retains the autonomy to determine its own age threshold for youth at the state level. 'We are not bound by what has been decided at the federal level. For now, Sarawak's definition of youth remains between the ages of 15 and 40. 'We do not want to reduce the age limit abruptly as it would have many implications,' he told reporters when met after officiating at the BELIA GoBiz@Limbang 2025 programme held at Dewan Suarah in Limbang yesterday. Abdul Karim said various ministries, including the Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Ministry and other sectors, have programmes in place to support youth development, many of which would be affected if the age limit were lowered too suddenly. He added that setting the age limit strictly at 30 would be problematic as many individuals at that age are just completing their studies. 'If we bring the cut-off below 40, they would no longer be eligible for various forms of funding and assistance. That is why we are keeping the current policy in place for Sarawak,' he added. Abdul Karim, who is Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) president, also touched on the important role played by the state's largest youth-based non-governmental organisation in driving youth development across various fields. He said that Saberkas is unique in that 30 per cent of its leadership comprises individuals aged over 40, while the remaining 70 per cent must be aged 40 and below. 'This composition ensures that the wisdom and experience of senior members are passed on to guide the younger generation,' he added. Previously, federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that the federal government would implement a new youth age cap of 30 effective Jan 1 next year, under the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019. The current national youth age limit remains at 40 until the new policy comes into force. Also present at the function were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Batu Danau assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang and Limbang Resident Unus Tambi. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah age Hannah Yeoh lead youth
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Six Teams to Compete at Borneo Games 2025 in Kuching
SIX contingents are set to participate in the Borneo Games 2025, which will be held from Sept 24 to 28 at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex here. Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the contingents involved are Brunei, Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, and Indonesia's East and West Kalimantan provinces. He said eight sports will be contested during the event – badminton, lawn bowls, athletics, archery, swimming, tug of war, blowpipe, and golf. 'As of now, 124 gold medals are expected to be contested. However, the number may increase following requests to add more gold medal events in the blowpipe competition,' he told a press conference here today. An estimated 5,000 participants are expected to attend, including athletes, coaches, team managers, referees, technical officials, secretariat staff, media, volunteers, and representatives from relevant agencies. The Borneo Games was first held in 1995, with the most recent edition taking place in 2013 in Labuan.
