MALACCA, July 7 — Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin called for the development of youth to keep up with current changes due to the emergence of a new generation with diverse views on various issues including politics.
The government, non-governmental organisations and other bodies need to ensure that youth programmes are suitable and relevant for them, he said.
“There is a concern that this group might bring about a shift in the political arena if they are not attended to,” Khairy (picture) said at the state level Youth Festival and Active Lifestyle Carnival here last night.
The three-day festival, themed ‘Youths are the Nation’s Aspiration’, started last Friday and was opened by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron.
The men and women Youth Champion were won by Melaka Indian Youth Council chairman E Mathiyalagan and Masjid Tanah 4B Youth Movement chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin respectively.
Whereas the Simpang Bekoh Youth Association won the organisation category and Khairy received the 2013 Malacca Youth Coalition Council Excellent Service Award.
“Our youths must understand the government’s aspiration to generate capable youths. Youths should not remain in their comfort zones in just one field, they must explore a range of new sectors,” said Khairy. — Bernama
