KUALA LUMPUR – The Perikatan Nasional government is committed to continue helping the youth through efforts to empower them, towards the development of highly innovative and sustainable human capital, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The prime minister said towards this end, various initiatives have been implemented specifically for the youth through assistance packages under Program Strategik Memperkasa Rakyat dan Ekonomi (Pemerkasa).
“The government has introduced several initiatives especially for youths under Initiatif 19: Prihatin Belia.
“All these efforts are to ensure that all government policies and initiatives always remain relevant by taking into consideration the aspirations and current needs of the youth,” he said in his National Youth Day 2021 address, which was aired live on the Youth and Sports Ministry Facebook page today.
The government, through the Youth and Sports Ministry and with the cooperation of the Malaysian Youth Council, is also taking the initiative to formulate the New Youth Development Model, he added.
This model will serve to complement and enhance the existing Malaysian Youth Policy 2015-2035 to ensure it remains in line with the latest policies such as Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, he said.
Apart from this, focus would also be given to efforts to tackle the challenges faced by the youth, especially post-Covid-19, and equip them to deal with the changing digital landscape involving skilled work.
This includes empowering the youth through analytical and innovative thinking, efficient management of new technologies, and emphasis on innovation and creativity, he said.
“The efforts of the Youth and Sports Ministry to empower the youth through recognition of the profession of young workers are also among long-term initiatives aimed at providing an environment conducive to strengthening the youth development ecosystem.
“This is done by upgrading the skills of young workers to the professional level, apart from adding value to youth practitioners as agents who bring positive change to society,” he added.
The prime minister noted that many youths have brought honour to Malaysia with their achievements, even as the country grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic.
These include Muhammad Hamdi Ahmad Hakimi and Jarell Cheong Tze Wen, who have been selected to further their studies at Harvard College in the United States.
He also took pride in badminton ace Lee Zii Jia for winning the 2021 All England men’s singles title in March and diver Pandelela Rinong for winning a gold medal at the 2021 Fina World Cup.
Besides that, the prime minister congratulated Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sharom for excelling at the national track cycling championship in Australia.
National Youth Day is celebrated on May 15 every year, with this year’s celebration being held on a moderate scale and retaining last year’s theme of “This Decade, Your Decade”. – Bernama, May 15, 2021
