TUARAN, Oct 29 — The Sabah government is strengthening youth participation in policymaking through initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers (Pemikir Muda) initiative and the Sabah Youth Assembly, providing platforms for young people to contribute ideas on the state’s development.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said youths were not only future leaders but also key economic drivers and agents of change in realising the aspirations of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
“Youth are a vital asset in determining the direction and future of Sabah. Therefore, the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers initiative provides a space for Sabah’s youth to be directly involved in the formulation of state development policies.
“Meanwhile, the Sabah Youth Assembly serves as a platform for youth unity and representation, providing a space to discuss issues and the future of the young generation under a new implementation format overseen by the relevant ministry,” he said.
He was speaking at the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival here today.
Hajiji said RM98.06 million had been allocated to the state’s Ministry of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy this year to empower young people through various forms of assistance, funding and skills training.
He said the allocation covered human capital development, grants for youth associations, support for the sports sector and assistance for young entrepreneurs through the Sabah Youth Entrepreneur Success Scheme (Syabas).
It also included the Rumah Mesra SMJ initiative, which provides support for young people who have recently started families.
Hajiji added that the state government was strengthening youth skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet the needs of future industries and nurture a generation capable of creating employment opportunities.
On the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival, he said the event highlighted the role of young people as future leaders in society and the state, as well as strategic partners in advancing economic, social and community development.
He said the carnival drew on the traditional tamu concept, which brings together traders, small-scale entrepreneurs, farmers, artists and local communities, while providing young people with opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase their talents, expand their businesses and build collaborative networks.
“When the tamu concept is combined with the energy and creativity of youth, a more dynamic space is created for entrepreneurial, cultural, sporting and wholesome entertainment activities, as well as knowledge-sharing,” he said.
Hajiji expressed hope that the carnival would continue to provide opportunities for young people to promote local products, showcase their artistic and cultural talents, build self-confidence and expand their business and community networks. — Bernama
