Anwar backs 22 Malaysian youths in WorldSkills Shanghai gold medal push

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has backed 22 Malaysian youths competing for gold at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver a strong showing against participants from more than 60 countries.

Anwar attended the opening ceremony of the four-day competition at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre last night, where he watched the Malaysian contingent take part in the parade of nations.

He said the 22 competitors represented some of Malaysia’s best talent in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and called on them to give their best across the competition’s 21 skills disciplines.

“I attended to witness directly the parade of the Malaysian Contingent at the Opening Ceremony of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 last night at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.

“Congratulations to our 22 young people who represent the country’s best talent in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), while proudly raising the Jalur Gemilang with a sense of pride and confidence.

“I pray that all their hard work will not be in vain, but instead produce results that will make the country proud in the mission to win gold medals for our beloved nation,” he said in a Facebook post.

The Malaysian contingent comprises 83 people and is led by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan as Chef de Mission.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and more than 20 national leaders, with Anwar in Shanghai as part of a three-day working visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government.

The competition runs from Sept 23 to 26, alongside the WorldSkills Conference 2026, which will examine the future of skills development and the roles of governments, industry and educational institutions.

Anwar is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the conference’s plenary session today.

His visit to Shanghai and Hangzhou also focuses on strengthening Malaysia-China ties, particularly in TVET, technology, the digital economy and industrial cooperation.

Anwar is accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. - September 23, 2026