KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government’s appreciation towards the roles of the youth is not rhetoric or mere expression, but is translated into action. 

He said, this included the setting up of the Youth Parliament, aimed at providing a platform in developing the role of the group in the context of national leadership. 

“The youth leadership need to be nurtured earlier on, at the earliest possible, because if we can implement this in advance, the talent among the youth leaders in terms of leadership and style can be pushed forward. 

“I can see and hear that they (members of the Youth Parliament) who give their speeches just now, have indeed possessed a very good leadership talent, I congratulate them,” he said in his speech during the Youth Parliament sitting, here, today.

Najib said, the measures had indicated that the government was very objective in producing leaders who could fill up various top positions, including the post of Prime Minister, some day. 

Najib, who spent more than an hour to follow the debate and winding up session of the sitting today, had also complimented the style and performance of the Youth Parliament’s representatives in giving their speeches.

“Frankly speaking, I am very excited with the style, researched material used for every topic, like just now I listened to the issue pertaining to the national sovereignty.

“There were also speeches that touched on international relations, Armed Forces, the superpowers and the expressions that I rarely hear in the Parliament, such as ‘not our cup of tea’, but today I hear it,” he said.

Explaining further, the Prime Minister said the government had always been open minded and provided the widest opportunities for the youth to express their opinion.

He said, if the government committed something that was incorrect and less satisfactory, the youth could criticise politely, but not via street demonstrations and public referendum, as both were not in line with the country’s Constitutions and laws.

“I am responsible together with my friends in the government to prepare a better country for the members of the Youth Parliament today who will soon sit in the front line.

“I will carry it out with full commitment to bring Malaysia forward successfully, this is my oath in front of the members of the Youth Parliament,” he said.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. — Bernama