Malaysians urged to become global citizens
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MALAYSIANS should take advantage of the robust pace of globalisation, but in order to accomplish that, one should become a global citizen.
Tencent Holdings senior executive vice president SY Lau has called upon all Malaysians to embrace technology and digitalisation to enjoy the benefits of globalisation.
At a ceremony at INTI Inter-national University and Colleges, the Malaysian-born Lau, who received “INTI’s Alumnus of the Year” award, delivered a speech on “Opportunities of globalisation and digital connectivity”.
Elaborating on the concept of global citizens, Lau said that to become an individual who is capable of transcending boundaries, one needs to adopt five important values.
Rejecting extremism, becoming the master of technology, leading with integrity, collaborating rather than competing with others and embracing authenticity within oneself are the vital ingredients to be a successful global citizen.
Lau, who has over 20 years of experience in the media and Internet industries, is the president of Tencent Holdings’ Online Media Group.
Tencent, which is listed on Hong Kong’s stock exchange, is only second to Alibaba Group Holding in market capitalisation in Asia.
The Internet and mobile value-added services provider owns instant messenger service QQ and the renowned social media app WeChat.
Lau urged Malaysians to pursue moderation and reject extremism outright.
He also stressed the need for everyone, especially national leaders, to uphold integrity in governance. “We need a moral compass to lead us and the compass is none other than great integrity,” he said.
The global entrepreneur cautioned against the increasing global tendency to adopt protectionist policies and self-isolation.
“Nations today can no longer make laws or treaties that rely on self-protectionism for self-preservation.
“The reason is simple, the world is getting more connected,” he said.
While the global flow of goods, services and finance in 1990 was worth only US$5 trillion (Bt175 trillion) or about 24 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), the figure jumped remarkably to $30 trillion in 2014.
This amounted to 39 per cent of the world aggregate GDP, he said.
“The value of global flow of goods, services and finance grew by six times.
“For your information, it was not the conventional trade and finance that contributed to such a remarkable growth.
“Instead, it was due to the fast-paced digital growth,” Lau stressed as he outlined why digital growth should not be underestimated.
The youth should seize available opportunities to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations while bearing in mind the urgency to propagate the positive influence that could potentially drive solutions for global issues.
