Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Forging ASEAN bonds through youth

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Gerald (second right) receives a token of appreciation from Azura.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

SANTUBONG: Take the lead in shaping a peaceful, empathetic and harmonious ASEAN future.

That was the message from Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, to Southeast Asian youth who have been urged to embrace the spirit of unity.

“You are among the few youth volunteers from your countries who had the chance to come to Sarawak.Thank you for being here.

Gerald delivers his speech.

“Most importantly, I see a bright future. Hopefully, you will be the leaders of ASEAN, not in the very far future, but one day,” he said when officiating at the closing of the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme (AYVP) 2025 at Restoran D’Sea, Damai Central today.

A total of 38 young volunteers from ASEAN countries took part in the programme, including 15 from Sarawak.

Rentap commended the participants for their commitment and expressed appreciation for the support given by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, particularly its Director-General, Azura Abidin.

“You have made friends here. Whether you are from Cambodia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, or other ASEAN nations, we are all human. That is the ASEAN way: to sit at the same table, eat the same food, and respect one another,” he said.

He encouraged the youth to hold on to the connections they had built during the programme and to bring home only positive memories of Sarawak.

“As we say here, let the negatives stay at the bottom of the plane door. Take back the good memories and keep these friendships alive,” he said.

Rentap also highlighted the cultural richness of Sarawak, noting that participants had the opportunity to experience local traditions during their visit.

Following the closing ceremony, participants were brought to the Sarawak Cultural Village to explore the state’s diverse heritage.

Looking ahead, Rentap said Sarawak aims to host more international youth programmes, and shared that there are plans for a proposed collaboration with the Japanese Government under the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) in 2027.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days