A total of 173,642 youths throughout Sarawak have benefitted from the 260 programmes under the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ development initiatives as of October this year.
According to Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, his ministry has planned comprehensive outreach programmes comprising education and skills training, nationhood and self-identity, health and prosperous lifestyle, leadership, volunteerism and civil society, entrepreneurship and so on.
“Among the core programmes we have organised for youths are Jelajah Belia Sarawak, Youth Transformation Programme, Youth Leadership Programme, Youth Fun Run, Junior and Senior Youth Camps, Communication Skills Workshop and many more,” he said when delivering his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday.
On Jelajah Belia Sarawak, a two-year programme initiated this year, he said thus far, six districts, namely Asajaya, Long Lama, Debak, Mukah, Bintulu and Tarat have been covered involving a total of 14,775 youths.
Meanwhile, the Asajaya assemblyman revealed that with regards to the Youth Transformation Programme, to date, his ministry has organised a total of 70 series involving 6,078 youths state-wide.
He commended its effectiveness in outreach and youth engagement, announcing that his ministry will continue to implement it due to the encouraging response received.
Touching on this year’s annual state-level Youth Day Celebration 2019 on December 6 to 7 at Miri Indoor Stadium, Abdul Karim said the event is expected to involve more than 5,000 youths.
He added, during this event, Sarawak Youth Index will be launched on December 7.
“Last year, the Institute of Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) had conducted a survey of Sarawak Youth Index covering 31 districts involving a sample of 13,437 youths state-wide,” he explained.
He elaborated that the survey, which commenced in August 2018 and is now completed, aimed to measure the quality and social wellbeing of Sarawakian youths.
Abdul Karim revealed that the findings, recommendations and proposals will be used as input and indicators for the state government to formulate the state youth development roadmap, strategic thrusts, policies and programmes.
He also mentioned that the highlights of the celebration are the youth icons awards, creativity and innovation exhibition, youth kitchen, cultural shows and sports activities.
“We have also organised healthy outdoor events that include an auto show, drone race, beyblades, sky runner and others.”
In his speech, he emphasised that his ministry will organise a series of programmes for urban and rural youths to address social issues affecting youths including substance and drug abuse, pre-marital pregnancies, high divorce rates among young couples, domestic violence, alcoholism, smoking, gambling, cyber-bullying and more.
