BINTULU: Community-based scouting continues to be upheld as a strategic and effective platform for youth development.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg said the community-based approach plays a key role in shaping character, discipline and leadership among the younger generation, while also serving as an early safeguard against social ills among teenagers in Sarawak.
He said it also allows for broader and sustained youth participation in structured, high-impact character-building activities at the grassroots level.
“Scouting is not merely a co-curricular activity. It is an effective non-formal educational institution that instils moral values, positive character and leadership qualities among young people,” he said when officiating the establishment of Scout Groups under the Community-Based Scouting Programme at the Wisma Bintulu Auditorium recently.
His speech was read out by Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
According to Abang Johari, scouting education methods that emphasise discipline, life skills, leadership and community service are capable of producing youths who are well-balanced physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
He said this holistic approach is essential to ensure that young people not only excel academically but are also able to contribute positively to the development of society and the nation.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the successful implementation of community-based scouting requires strong and continuous support from community leaders, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector.
“Support in the form of sponsorship, provision of facilities and the organisation of joint activities is crucial to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the scouting movement at the grassroots level,” he said.
