Kuala lumpur: The short film 'Arkitek Bangsa' was produced to instil leadership qualities, patriotism, and a strong sense of national identity among the young generation to help ensure the continuity of the country's future leadership, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johari emphasized that young Malaysians should take pride in their identity and aspire to become leaders rather than merely followers, stressing that leadership is cultivated through continuous exposure, guidance, and training. "Every young person should strive to become an architect of this nation. Leadership is not something people are born with...it is nurtured and developed," he stated at a press conference following a special screening of the video at the Parliament Building today.
Johari highlighted that the production complements several youth-focused initiatives undertaken by Parliament, including the Parliament School Programme, which has brought 1,057 schools to Parliament to expose students to the country's democratic institutions and legislative process. He added that Parliament is also involved in the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) through a special select committee and is strengthening the Youth Parliament by expanding its membership from 100 to 222 and introducing a proportional representation electoral system.
He further elaborated that the video should be widely used in programmes organised by ministries and government agencies involved in nation-building to help more young people understand the country's history and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of earlier generations. "Constructing a building takes time, but destroying it can happen in the blink of an eye. We want to instil in our young people a stronger sense of responsibility and conviction, and above all, the confidence to say, 'Thank God I was born here. I am Malaysian,'" Johari remarked.
Meanwhile, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib noted that the title Arkitek Bangsa was chosen with Johari's approval. It was then developed into a short film through an accelerated process of concept development, storyboarding, and scriptwriting to deliver a message on leadership to future generations.