PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed hope that Malaysia’s future prime minister will come from a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) background.
He said the success of many world leaders with vocational backgrounds proved that TVET graduates were capable of excelling beyond technical fields.
“I am proud that a world figure like Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was a TVET graduate, rose to become the president of a major country.
“Who knows, perhaps among those present in this hall today, or even those outside, one of you may one day become Malaysia’s prime minister,” he said in his speech at the Festival of Ideas Putrajaya at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, said the government was committed to strengthening Malaysia’s TVET ecosystem, which now comprises 1,398 institutions nationwide.
He highlighted Malaysia’s achievement at the recent Asean WorldSkills competition, where the country won 13 gold medals.
“Who says TVET graduates cannot succeed? Malaysia’s achievement in the Asean WorldSkills competition proves that our talents are world-class,” he said.
Zahid said TVET must be viewed as the “new currency” of the nation’s economy.
“Skills must become the new currency of our nation, not just paper certificates, but real value that elevates Malaysia on the global stage,” he said.
He urged Malaysians to embrace the reality that excellence in technical fields should go hand in hand with academic achievement.
“While we continue to respect our academic ecosystem, we must also recognise the importance of technical expertise.
“Together, they will drive Malaysia towards becoming a true knowledge nation,” he said.
He also praised the Higher Education Ministry, led by minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, for its efforts in integrating moral values and ethics into national education policy.
He assured the Higher Education Minister that the government would allocate additional funds to support FOI next year, noting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a strong supporter of the event after designating it as an annual programme.
“Zambry, don’t worry about the budget. I know that is your main concern,” he said, adding that he would personally speak to Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, to ensure greater financial support for the event in 2026.
Also present was Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
The FOI Putrajaya 2025, which began today and runs until Nov 8, is expected to attract nearly 500,000 physical visitors and a total of two million participants, including 1.5 million virtual attendees from around the world.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
