Penang: Teachers play an important role in shaping the nation's leadership and producing future generations who are capable of facing the increasingly complex challenges of the world, said Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Steven Sim Chee Keong. He emphasized that the teaching profession is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about shaping the discipline, values, and identity of students to successfully produce national leaders, public administrators, and professionals.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Steven Sim highlighted the pivotal influence of educators during his speech at the NUTP Penang Branch Teachers' Day Celebration event, which was held in conjunction with Workers' Day. He remarked, "Believe me, today a Prime Minister, a King, a president of the country and even a minister, it all starts with a teacher who teaches reading and writing."

The event, organized by the National Union of Teachers' Service of Peninsular Malaysia (NUTP), saw the attendance of about 1,000 teachers from across Penang. NUTP, established more than 52 years ago, has grown to become the largest union in terms of membership in the country, with approximately 230,000 members across 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia.