KUCHING: Bawang Assan State Assemblyman and PDP Senior Vice President Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has called on the Federal Government to focus on addressing the root causes of youth-related issues rather than implementing temporary or superficial measures.
He said Sarawak leaders such as Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had shown true leadership by stressing that young people need education and guidance, not social media bans.
“Karim’s statement reflects what real leadership looks like. Sarawak’s leaders understand the root causes of the problem, while the federal government focuses only on surface-level actions,” he said.
Wong stated that youth problems cannot be solved by banning smartphones or raising the minimum age for social media use.
“These are not real solutions. They are temporary measures meant to make the public feel something is being done, but they do not tackle the real issue,” he said, adding that true change comes from education and guidance, not restrictions.
He said young people must be taught about the law, responsibility, and empathy instead of being punished or restricted without understanding their behaviour.
“We must build a more caring and respectful school culture through education and guidance to create lasting change in cultivating empathy, respect, and digital responsibility,” he said.
Wong proposed a holistic approach involving education, moral guidance and counselling, which includes, educating students about the legal consequences of their actions so they understand that bullying and violence can lead to serious punishment, creating safe and confidential channels for students to report problems or seek help when in distress and organising regular workshops with district police officers to build awareness and trust through ongoing engagement.
“This is how we create real change by shaping mindsets not by imposing restrictions. We need action that educates, reforms, and protects,” he said.
He added that Sarawak has demonstrated that leaders who truly care about the people lead with purpose and understanding.
“We need leaders who listen to the ground and understand what is truly happening in our schools and communities. We want real solutions,” he said.
By Connie Chieng