18-05-2025
Study on youth age policy
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025
By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: Hajiji taking a group photo with the recipients of Anugerah Perdana Belia Negara 2025 at the State level. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will draft an enactment on Sabah Youth Development to provide a legal framework for strengthening the management of youth organisations in the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the proposed enactment would create a more structured and organised platform for youth development while expanding the recognition of youth activism and the contributions of the organisations involved.
Advertisement With the enactment, he added, every youth leader would be given the time, space and support to lead confidently and continue to contribute to the State without being sidelined due to policy changes. 'The State Ministry of Youth and Sports (KKBS) and the Sabah Youth Council (MBS) have been entrusted with the responsibility to study the matter, including the issue of youth age transition policy,' he said after officiating the Sabah National Youth Day celebration at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex, Saturday. He said KKBS and MBS would conduct a comprehensive study on the youth age transition policy as the issue needs to be thoroughly studied, taking into account social structures, organisational maturity and on-ground realities, particularly in Sabah. The Chief Minister said youth development in Sabah will continue to be the State Government's priority, including the provision of skills and tools necessary for them to lead the State in the future.
Advertisement 'Under the GRS-PH administration, the State Government has done much for youth development. 'Political stability has opened up opportunities for continuous development and people-centric policies, including in the aspect of youth development,' he said. Hajiji said Head of State Tun Musa Aman, in his policy speech, emphasised that youth development should be prioritised, particularly in the aspects of education, skills and leadership. 'Therefore, the State Government has consistently taken into account the aspirations of the youth, including efforts to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need. 'This is to ensure that when the time comes for the younger generation to take over the helm of leadership, they will be qualified and capable of taking the State and country to greater heights,' he said. Hajiji said the State Government has launched several initiatives and educational assistance programmes that benefited students in the State. He said new initiatives such as the Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Negeri (Sentosa) and Sumbangan Kegiatan Sekolah Secara One-Off (SUKSES) have been introduced to expand access to higher education and support school activities. 'These initiatives are among the 13 educational initiatives provided to students, schools, Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) and Sabah undergraduate associations both domestic and abroad, totalling RM75.5 million. 'Other initiatives implemented and continued this year include the One-Off Cash Assistance for IPT Registration (Budi), Computer Assistance Programme (Baik), Special Cash Examination Assistance (Bakti), the State Education Fund Assistance (Bistari), Sabah Malaysia University Student Secretariat (Semesta) and the Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRSSUBFLY). 'In the area of skills development, the State Government continues to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and technical training programmes in the State. 'More than 179 courses in the fields of science, technology, innovation and languages were conducted last year, with over 35,000 enrolments. We also encourage our youth to venture into Sabah's growing oil and gas industry to enhance their skills and to meet the future demands of the energy sector,' he said. Hajiji said the State Government is also focusing on youth development in sports by constructing and upgrading sports infrastructure such as sports complexes, youth arenas and multipurpose courts in the rural areas, which are now being used by the local communities. At the same time, he said, high-impact programmes such as the Sabah Maju Jaya Fellowship (Felo SMJ) and the Sabah State Youth Council implemented in collaboration with the Sabah Youth Council, as well as the Sabah Youth Leadership Incubator (IKEBS), provide an excellent platform for our young to hone their skills within the State's leadership and governance ecosystem. He also expressed confidence in the MBS, supported by the KBSS, as the main body and backbone of the State's youth movement. 'Therefore, I want the Sabah Youth Council to continue leading the youth throughout the State with full dedication and continuously introduce the best, relevant and inclusive initiatives and programmes for the holistic development of the young generation,' he said. Hajiji urged the youth to stay united with the Government and support all initiatives for their benefit and the well-being of the people. 'Let us work together with the Government to maintain political stability and economic progress through cooperation and continuous support. 'This is crucial for the smooth implementation of development in the State,' said Hajiji. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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