DATUK SERI (DR.) ENG WEI CHUN – YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY
In every family, there are high hopes placed on the next generation. As the Chinese saying goes, parents hope their sons will become “dragons” and their daughters “phoenixes,” symbols of greatness and success. Most parents deeply wish for their children to grow into outstanding individuals, often advising and encouraging them to study hard. One common yet unhealthy phrase that many children grow up hearing is: “Study hard so you can make lots of money in the future.” Some even take extreme measures, pressuring their children to excel in school. In Malaysian society today, there is a strong desire among parents for their children to become professionals such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, software engineers, and so on. This herd mentality of chasing popular courses has led to an oversupply in certain professions and an imbalance in the overall distribution of talent across the country.
As a young person, have you ever felt like you’ve already worked so hard, yet your life still feels like a mess? While scrolling through social media, you see others living seemingly glamorous lives, and it makes you want to switch off your phone and escape from reality. Or maybe you know you should keep pushing forward, but somehow, you still feel stuck.
This feeling is common among today’s youth. The rise of social media has created a culture of showing off, which often leads to self-doubt and confusion. Many young people begin to lose confidence, follow the crowd blindly, and forget to think independently. As a result, they become more focused on enjoying life in the moment while neglecting to build a solid foundation for their future. But the truth is, nothing in life comes easy. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
There is an old Chinese saying: “Destiny first, followed by luck, feng shui, virtue, and education.” But in today’s world, I believe we need to revise that to: “Destiny, luck, education, virtue, and feng shui.” Education is not merely about passing exams. It is about acquiring the knowledge and critical thinking needed to truly shape our lives.
“Destiny” refers to the circumstances we are born into. It is not something we can change, such as where we are born, our family background, or our ethnicity. “Luck” is often misunderstood as mere fortune, but in truth, it reflects one’s character and attitude. A person’s outlook on life and behaviour shapes their luck, and that can be changed through self-cultivation. A positive and healthy personality lays the foundation for a good future.
“Education,” especially in today’s world where resources are abundant, is no longer about basic literacy. It is about sharpening your thinking, building your confidence, and gaining the ability to solve problems. The most capable people are those who not only have knowledge but also possess solid common sense, which enables them to make sound judgments. We must always remember that education is not about memorising facts or blindly preparing for exams. It is about learning to apply knowledge in flexible and meaningful ways.
“Virtue” is a form of moral character, and it serves as a vital foundation for building a clean, healthy, and harmonious society. When you visit a developed and civilised country, you naturally feel calm and at ease. In contrast, when you are in a chaotic, dirty, or dangerous place, it affects your mood and may even hinder economic growth. Therefore, a responsible citizen must understand the importance of cultivating virtue. Good deeds should not be done with selfish intentions. This is also part of creating a better environment for the next generation. Lastly, we come to “feng shui.” When you have aligned the elements of destiny, luck, education, and virtue, good feng shui naturally follows.
From my own observations and conversations with friends from developed countries, I have found that they hold Malaysian youth in high regard. This has been very encouraging to hear. I truly believe that young Malaysians are full of potential. With proper guidance, self-discipline, and the right education policies, Malaysia can become a developed nation in the near future.
The development of a nation requires today’s young people to summon courage and improve themselves, to keep making breakthroughs in both academics and careers. At the same time, they must stay united, cultivate good character, and do more good deeds. In today’s reality, we no longer have the conditions to take extreme paths, and these qualities are exactly what will make others admire us. What we need are more young people who work hard like bees searching for honey, not those who merely buzz around like flies looking for trash. Personally, I believe young people should contribute more to society and earn its recognition. After all, academic results, whether excellent or not, are not the real focus of life and should not be used to define a person’s worth.
Translated from original article source:
https://www.enanyang.my/news/20250623/Testimonia-Column/737707
