Pulau banggi: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his ambition to elevate Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Banggi as a model of rural education excellence and a center for human capital development. He emphasized the importance of improving the educational performance at the school, located on the remote island, to demonstrate the potential success of students in isolated regions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted that children residing on Pulau Banggi, despite being in one of the most secluded areas, possess the capability to succeed if given proper educational attention. He stressed that quality education can transform the lives of students from impoverished families, enabling them to contribute positively to their families and the community. Anwar remarked on the necessity of prioritizing education on Pulau Banggi, urging parents to support this initiative, as it can empower children from the remotest and poorest backgrounds to advance through quality training and education.

During the Prime Minister's Engagement Session with the local community of Pulau Banggi, Anwar recalled laying the foundation stone for SMK Banggi in 1994 when he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. The school has since developed into an institution that provides education up to the Form Six or pre-university level, producing trained and knowledgeable students. He called upon the school principal, District Education Office, Sabah Education Department director, and the Parent-Teacher Association to present a report within two weeks detailing additional strategies to enhance the school's performance.

Anwar assured that the government is prepared to evaluate further needs for SMK Banggi, provided the school sets clear objectives to guarantee continuous improvement in student performance. He also reminded leaders and public officials of their duty to serve the public, asserting that positions of responsibility should not be exploited for personal gain. Anwar emphasized that misusing authority for personal benefits weakens the state, stressing the need to uphold the trust placed in public offices to protect the interests of the state and its people, especially the most vulnerable.