CARETAKER Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has unveiled two new initiatives aimed at strengthening youth participation in state development and policymaking, signalling a broader strategy to make youth voices central to Sabah’s future.
The initiatives – the Sabah Youth Action Council (Majlis Tindakan Belia Sabah) and the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers platform (Pemikir Muda Ketua Menteri) – were announced during the *Tamu Suara 360: Aspirasi Anak Muda Sabah 2025* programme held on Saturday.
“Sabah Youth Action Council will serve as an implementation body tasked with advancing youth development and welfare in an inclusive and coordinated manner,” said Hajiji.
He added that the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers initiative will be a formal platform for young Sabahans to convey their ideas, concerns and aspirations directly to the state government.
“Sabah’s youth must be ready to express what they want from the government so that it can be acted upon for the benefit of all young people and the people of Sabah,” he said.
Youth Aspirations to Shape Policy Direction
Referring to the Tamu Suara 360 programme, Hajiji said it reflects a growing demand among Sabah’s youth for more meaningful opportunities aligned with their talents and potential.
“This is not just a programme – it is a symbol of our confidence that the voice of youth does not end here. I want every criticism, suggestion, concern and dream raised during this event to be developed, refined and defended until it becomes policy,” he said.
RM1.3 Billion for Education and Human Capital Development
Hajiji also shared efforts by his administration to invest in education and human capital development, revealing that RM1.3 billion had been spent over the past four years through various programmes and initiatives.
“Scholarships have been increased, and we will raise the amount again next year. This year alone, we awarded 12,000 scholarships – 5,000 to Muslim Bumiputera students, 5,000 to non-Muslim Bumiputera, and 2,000 to Chinese students,” he said.
In addition, the Sabah Education Fund was created to support underprivileged students who may not have received scholarships. “More than 10,000 have benefited from this fund so far,” he noted.
Youth Urged to Help Counter Misinformation
The Chief Minister also appealed to young people to act as ambassadors for accurate information, particularly in countering political misinformation.
“I ask our youth to help explain to the public what the government has done. It is unfair that we work tirelessly to increase state revenue and return it to the people, only to be defamed by the opposition,” he said.
Hajiji highlighted that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government had successfully navigated political and economic challenges over the past five years under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap.
The initiatives mark a shift towards more structured youth engagement in governance, with the state aiming to embed young voices into long-term planning and policy formulation. - October 11, 2025
