Latest news with #HannahYeoh
The Star
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Curiosity and stress among main reasons for substance abuse among youths, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Curiosity, stress and peer influence are among the main reasons why young Malaysians get involved in substance abuse, says Hannah Yeoh. The Youth and Sports Minister said this was among the findings of a behavioural study conducted in selected high-risk areas by the Malaysian Institute for Youth Research (Iyres) between September last year and February this year. "Among the factors leading respondents to use drugs and illegal substances were curiosity (30.1%), stress (20.9%), and peer influence (18.9%)," she said in a written reply to Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). While there was a slight decrease in the overall number of drug addicts in the country, she noted that the number of youths involved in substance abuse had increased. "Based on statistics from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), the number of drug and substance abuse cases among youths aged between 15 and 30 has increased over the past two years. "In 2023, a total of 46,401 youths were identified as being involved in drug and substance abuse. "This number rose to 55,369 last year, an increase of 19.3% or 8,968," she said. By ethnicity, she said Malay youths accounted for 76% of the total in both years. "The number increased from 35,280 in 2023 to 42,076 last year, a 19.3% increase," she added. She said Indian youths recorded an increase of 1,014 (34.5%), rising from 2,937 in 2023 to 3,951 last year. "Chinese youths showed an increase of 446 (19.3%), from 2,312 in 2023 to 2,758 last year," she said. Indigenous youths from Sabah and Sarawak recorded increases of 8.7% and 8.9%, respectively. "The 'others' category showed the highest relative increase, with 251 individuals (40.3%), although the actual number was small, from 623 in 2023 to 874 last year," she added. Yeoh said several measures and programmes have been implemented to curb the rise of substance abuse among youths. Among them is the Drug-Free Youth Campaign, launched on April 21, with stakeholders, the police, AADK and the University of Malaya Medical Centre. She said her ministry had also urged the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) to adopt improved guidelines for performances by foreign artists to better protect youths against the dangers of substance abuse.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Youth leaders over 30 may stay in office until next election, but not be renominated, says Hannah Yeoh
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Youth leaders who exceed the age of 30 after the youth age limit takes effect on Jan 1, 2026 may continue to hold their positions until their organisation's next election at the general meeting, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. However, Hannah said these leaders cannot be renominated, as stipulated under Section 6 of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1602). 'For youth members, starting from Jan 1, 2026, in line with the amendment to Act 668 through Act A1602, ordinary members who do not hold office in youth organisations and have reached or exceeded the age of 30 will no longer be eligible as ordinary members. They will also lose their right to vote or be elected at annual general meetings. 'However, they can still be involved as advisors, mentors, facilitators, mobilisers, youth workers, or alumni, subject to the organisation's constitution. In this regard, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has engaged with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to facilitate the transition for youth organisations, office bearers, or members who reach the age of 30 to join other associations registered under ROS,' she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. She was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who asked what would happen if youth leaders exceeded the age of 30 after the law comes into force on Jan 1, 2026. In response to Yii's original question, Hannah said KBS has taken several initiatives to ease the transition of the youth age limit from 40 to 30 years old. She said these include the formation of a Transition Working Committee chaired by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, the implementation of Bicara Transisi Belia (Youth Transition Dialogues), Governance Workshops, Organisational Management Programmes (PPO), the Kembara Jumpa Orang Muda Programme (Kembara JOM) and the certification of youth work professionalism. According to her, the Department of Statistics Malaysia data shows there are 9.5 million youths aged 15 to 30, making up 27.9 per cent of the national population, while the number of office bearers in youth organisations this year stands at 99,271, with 53.99 per cent (or 53,606 individuals) under the age of 30. 'The enforcement of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 will affect the administration and leadership of 8,272 youth organisations registered with the Registrar of Youth Societies (ROY),' she said. Yii had asked what steps the ministry has taken to ensure a smooth transition for the enforcement of Act A1602 on Jan 1, 2026, and how many youth organisations have amended their constitutions in preparation. — Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
New Youth Age Limit: Leaders Over 30 May Hold Posts Until Next Election
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Youth leaders who exceed the age of 30 after the youth age limit takes effect on Jan 1, 2026 may continue to hold their positions until their organisation's next election at the general meeting, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. However, Hannah said these leaders cannot be renominated, as stipulated under Section 6 of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1602). 'For youth members, starting from Jan 1, 2026, in line with the amendment to Act 668 through Act A1602, ordinary members who do not hold office in youth organisations and have reached or exceeded the age of 30 will no longer be eligible as ordinary members. They will also lose their right to vote or be elected at annual general meetings. 'However, they can still be involved as advisors, mentors, facilitators, mobilisers, youth workers, or alumni, subject to the organisation's constitution. In this regard, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has engaged with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to facilitate the transition for youth organisations, office bearers, or members who reach the age of 30 to join other associations registered under ROS,' she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. She was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who asked what would happen if youth leaders exceeded the age of 30 after the law comes into force on Jan 1, 2026. In response to Yii's original question, Hannah said KBS has taken several initiatives to ease the transition of the youth age limit from 40 to 30 years old. She said these include the formation of a Transition Working Committee chaired by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, the implementation of Bicara Transisi Belia (Youth Transition Dialogues), Governance Workshops, Organisational Management Programmes (PPO), the Kembara Jumpa Orang Muda Programme (Kembara JOM) and the certification of youth work professionalism. According to her, the Department of Statistics Malaysia data shows there are 9.5 million youths aged 15 to 30, making up 27.9 per cent of the national population, while the number of office bearers in youth organisations this year stands at 99,271, with 53.99 per cent (or 53,606 individuals) under the age of 30. 'The enforcement of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 will affect the administration and leadership of 8,272 youth organisations registered with the Registrar of Youth Societies (ROY),' she said.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
OCM to launch long-term investment platform for national sports development
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will establish a National Sports Endowment Fund as a sustainable financial mechanism to support the development of sports in the country and reduce reliance on government funding. OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the proposal of the establishment of the fund was unanimously approved during the 213th OCM Executive Council Meeting here, today. Mohamad Norza said the dedicated fund is envisioned to serve as a long-term investment platform, drawing contribution from the private sector including corporation, foundation, and individual philanthropists to provide financial assistance to national sports association (NSA), athletes, and coaches in their pursuit of sporting excellence. 'We realise that the time has come for all of us, the days of being completely dependent on the government to help national sports is over. We need support from the private sector to come in. 'This effort is complementary to what the government has done so far through the National Sports Council with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. We want to present this and we will take it to the highest level of KBS through Minister Hannah Yeoh,' he told a press conference after the meeting, here. He said the fund would be free from any political interference and governed by an independent body representing the OCM as well as individuals from industry, with potential participation from the government to be discussed further. Mohamad Norza said government representation is important to oversee the fund's operations, including the consideration of potential tax incentives for contributors. Asked about the timeframe for the establishment of the fund, he said it would realistically be in place by the end of the year, or at the latest, by the first quarter of next year. Meanwhile, Mohamad Norza said they had also established the Olympic House Project Steering Committee (Jawatankuasa Pemandu Projek Rumah Olimpik) which will be chaired by OCM secretary general Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali and Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Gerard Monteiro as deputy chairman. He said other committee members include namely Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz and Malaysian Chess Federation Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi. Mohamad Norza said the committee will monitor and ensure that the RM93 million building project, which will be the new OCM headquarters scheduled to be completed by 2028, is transparently and objectively evaluated. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Townhall discussion on proposed landscape office turns heated
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh (in pink baju kurung) with national landscape department deputy director-general Ahmad Syaharuddin Kamaruddin at the townhall yesterday evening. KUALA LUMPUR : A townhall to discuss the proposed construction of a national landscape department office, which would see a section of a forest cleared in Bukit Kiara, turned heated yesterday after residents said their concerns were being ignored. Some of the residents had expressed fear that the clearing of the forest would result in landslides, noting that three landslides had already occurred in the area. The slope where the proposed office would be located has been cut. Meanwhile, residents staying along Jalan Abang Haji Openg in Taman Tun Dr Ismail feared the loss of more greenery. The residents became irate at one of the speakers, a representative from Jaaz Architects Sdn Bhd, whom they perceived as being dismissive of their concerns. A shouting match erupted when the representative, who was presenting the building plans, responded to a question by a resident on the need for a parking lot at the department's proposed office. The resident suggested that the new office be public transport-friendly, to which he replied: 'You're living in an ideal world. Why don't we stop people from using cars, then we don't need car parks.' Another resident then accused the architect of being condescending. A second exchange occurred when a resident questioned the environmental impact of the development, and what carbon offset measures were in place. The representative said the proposed development would only take up a small area of the forest reserve, and that the residents still had the rest of the reserve. This led to a chorus of 'no's' from the residents. Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh then intervened and asked the national landscape department how many trees would be felled. The department's deputy director-general Ahmad Syaharuddin Kamaruddin said about 300 trees would be chopped down, but that 85% of these trees were rubber trees, which were an 'invasive species'. He said the department would replant about 600 trees. Some of the residents had no issue with the department's plan to build an office, saying one was needed in Bukit Kiara which is also a popular hiking spot. They said there was a need to 'look at the bigger picture' and advised detractors against getting too emotional. Syaharuddin earlier said that the department needed an office in Bukit Kiara to better serve the needs of residents around the area in a timely manner. He said there was a need for regular track maintenance for hikers, the removal of fallen trees, and research on the flora and fauna in the forest reserve. 'Right now, we need to travel all the way from Putrajaya to Taman Tun Dr Ismail (to do maintenance work). It is not practical,' he added.
