Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on youth leaders of today to uphold the struggle of their predecessors so that it is not threatened by the opposition.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the opposition would always look for ways to find fault in the transformation programmes the government undertook and was going to take.
"The situation now is there are people who want the 'locomotive' we have placed on the track to be derailed and plunge into a ravine, which might bring a great danger to our country.
"That's why as future leaders, you should protect this train which is on the right track so that our transformation programmes do not fail. Failure will mean Malaysia will not achieve its vision to be a developed nation," he said.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said this when closing the National Student Leadership Convention and Discourse which was attended by about 3,500 students of local universities and colleges at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
As future leaders, Muhyiddin said they should be aware that Malaysia had set the target to be a developed nation by 2020 and thus, needed to be competitive and at the forefront to ensure the goal was achieved.
"There's only seven years left, the most important question we have to ask is whether Malaysia can meet the goal by 2020...it all lies on your shoulders as the future leaders of the country.
"Although the answer is 'yes', it will not he be easy because the world situation today is not as it was before. We cannot be sitting still and assume Malaysia will become a developed nation," he said.
He also suggested that the convention be held yearly as a platform for students of higher education institutions to discuss the future of the country, besides sosio-economic development, politics and other matters.
At the event, Muhyiddin also launched the convention's logo and accepted the 11 resolutions adopted at it since its deliberations the past two days.
Meanwhile, during a question and answer session, Muhyiddin explained that the country's plan to make Malaysia a world education hub by 2020 was not mere rhetorics but had been started.
He said among others, famous universities were being allowed to set up branch campuses in the country and Malaysian universities had been asked to work to be on par or even better than the top universities in the world.
He also said the government was also considering awarding Public Service Department scholarships to diploma and degree students who were more that 25 years old.
Asked about the Barisan Nasional's ability to wrest back the states it lost in the last general election (GE), Muhyiddin said he was optimistic of a 'reverse tsunami'even in PAS's stronghold Kelantan in the upcoming GE.
On postal voting for students abroad, he said that he would be chairing a meeting on amendments to existing laws on the matter tomorrow and that a decision could be expected soon.
Bernama
Sun Nov 25 2012
Minimum wage not benchmark for all employees' starting salaries - Sim
Steven Sim says the increase in the minimum wage is intended as a basic wage for workers with lower academic qualifications and skills.
Climate and China weigh on how the US views Pacific relations
Pacific leaders keep their preference for US President quiet, yet viewing relations only through the lens of China does nobody a service.
Gulen, the powerful cleric accused of orchestrating a Turkish coup, dies
Gulen was a one-time ally of Erdogan but they fell out spectacularly, and Erdogan held him responsible for the 2016 attempted coup.
[COLUMNIST] The reality of earthquakes in Malaysia: A threat we can’t ignore
The government needs to prepare the public to deal with such disasters in any way possible.
'PROTEGE-Veteran' provides job assurance for retirees
This is an aggressive step by the government to protect the welfare of retirees, said Dr Mohd Hasril Amiruddin.
US says THAAD anti-missile system is 'in place' in Israel
THAAD is a critical part of the US military's layered air defense systems and adds to Israel's already formidable anti-missile defenses.
IMAN Research calls for strengthening human security in 2025 Budget
IMAN Research identifies key areas for enhancement within the Malaysian government's Third MADANI Budget 2025.
Zambry assures academics of freedom of speech
Zambry says he is committed to preventing any actions that could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of academics across universities.
Media licensing framework development involves multiple consultations - Teo
Teo Nie Ching says the views of stakeholders have been considered through several engagement sessions and ongoing consultations.
ANALYSIS - World lags on 2030 nature goals headed into UN COP16 talks
A top concern for countries and companies is how to pay for conservation, with the COP16 talks aiming to develop new initiatives.
Situation in South China Sea safe, under control - Adly
Adly Zahari clarifies that reports of Chinese maritime assets near country's border mainly involve its Coast Guard, not its naval warships.
MOHE sets agenda to boost higher education cooperation ahead of ASEAN Chairmanship 2025
Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry said all higher education institutions must be involved to successfully implement the ASEAN chairmanship agenda.
King receives credentials of 12 foreign envoys to Malaysia
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim welcomes nine new foreign envoys and appoints two Malaysian diplomats in a ceremony at Istana Negara.
Israel gives the US its demands for ending war in Lebanon, Axios reports
Israel demands IDF "active enforcement" to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and rebuilding military infrastructure near the border.
Indonesia's Prabowo swears in cabinet of over 100 ministers, deputies
Prabowo Subianto's cabinet has 48 ministries with over 100 ministers and deputies, including two re-appointments.
Freeze on foreign worker employment quota to continue - Saifuddin
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said as of Sept 15 the total number of foreign workers is nearing the stipulated ceiling.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Canberra on Australia tour
This is King Charles' first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer in February.
Indonesia's Prabowo plans military academy retreat for new cabinet
The retreat is aimed at forming a bond between around 100 cabinet ministers and their deputies, according to migrant protection minister.
Four loan sharks held for alleged involvement in paint splashing, arson in six states
The syndicate is believed to have conducted illegal money-lending activities, involving loan sharks and online money-lending, police said.
China's PCT international patent applications top world for 5 consecutive years: WIPO chief
China has become the country with the most international patent applications, according to AIPPI President Shoichi Okuyama.