Youth age cap at 30 not for Sabah
Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025
By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: 'Age isn't the issue. It's your maturity and personality that count,' said Fairuz. Kota Kinabalu: The national youth age cap at 30 won't work in the State, said Sabah Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan (pic). 'The policy never really fit in the first place because we're already used to the age cap at 40. 'Maybe it makes sense in KL, but not here,' he said, adding that Sarawak holds the same stance. 'This idea has been around since Khairy Jamaluddin, Syed Saddiq, Reezal Merican, and now Hannah Yeoh but Sabah and Sarawak don't see the need,' he said. The federal law, passed by Parliament in 2019, has already been postponed twice and is now in its third extension. Fairuz believes enforcing it in Sabah could be counterproductive. 'We're not like the older generation where people at 35 were already stable and matured. 'Today, even in their 30s or 40s, people are still finding their sense of direction. Youth clubs hardly see new members in their early 20s. Most are in their late 20s or above,' he added. He also dismissed claims that Sabah would be left behind if it doesn't follow the federal move as opined by Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. 'We already have the Sabah Youth Development Enactment being developed with the Sabah Youth Council (MBS) tackling the transition issues,' he said. The enactment notes that only 15pc of Sabah youth are in formal groups, with policies shaped to suit the State's diverse social and cultural context. 'Age isn't the issue. It's your maturity and personality that count,' said Fairuz. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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