KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) plays a crucial role in nurturing quality youth and strengthening racial unity through sports in the state.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that although the ministry may not generate substantial economic returns, its contribution in shaping today’s youth as future leaders of Sarawak is undeniably important.
He said that MYSED delivers a different kind of impact compared to other ministries, as it is directly responsible for guiding youth and is among the most visible ministries to the public.
“If youth are not properly guided and managed from an early stage, the state may face challenges in the future, as today’s leadership will eventually be passed on to the younger generation,” he said.
Abdul Karim was speaking at the MYSED Kesinambungan Budi Ceremony held at Hilton Hotel here on Friday night.
He added that the sports sector under MYSED also serves as an effective platform for fostering unity among Sarawak’s multiracial community, as demonstrated through the organisation of several major sporting events in recent years.
“Regardless of whether one is Dayak, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, Bidayuh or Iban, sports unite all of us as Sarawakians. Beyond recreation and physical fitness, sports play an important role in strengthening unity,” he said.
The ceremony also honoured 36 MYSED personnel, including 24 recipients of the 2024 Excellent Service Award (APC), seven retirees and five staff members who were transferred to other postings.
Also present were Deputy Ministers of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat and Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; MYSED Permanent Secretary Dzulkornain Masron; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) Morshidi Fredrick; MYSED Deputy Permanent Secretary Dolhadi Marzuki; acting Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Sports Corporation and acting Director of Sarawak Sports Council Khairul Nizam Morshidi, as well as other distinguished guests.
