The Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry will be organising 57 development programmes for Sarawak youths this year.
Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said the ministry will continue to collaborate with Saberkas to organise the youth transformation programme “Kawan Ku Sayang Keluarga Ku Kenang” (KKSKK) which had been getting encouraging response state-wide since its introduction in 2014.
“To date, 62 youth programmes involving 5,300 youths of varying backgrounds had been organised.
“For the State-level Youth Day 2019, we plan to organise it by October 2019 in Miri,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the assembly sitting, yesterday.
Karim also said the youth in Sarawak recorded 43.54 per cent (1,249,000) out of 2.8 million population, and the ministry will continue to engage, outreach and nurture them through its various youth development programmes planned throughout the state.
“In our efforts to enhance our youth engagement and community outreach, we have embarked on a new programme “Jelajah Belia Sarawak”, covering 40 districts statewide which will run until 2020,” he said.
He added that the objectives of the event are to enhance youth’s engagement and participation in local community programmes, to share information regarding government transformation agendas and policies and to inculcate good leadership qualities, self-confidence and resilience in facing future challenges, spirit of volunteerism, teamwork as well as be active, responsible and patriotic citizens.
“The other youth development initiative is the “Sarawak Youth Index” survey with the objective to measure the quality and social well-being of Sarawak youths which started in August last year.
“The survey is expected to be completed by this month,” Karim said and the outcome will be used as a basis and indicator for planning and formulation of future policies benefiting the youth.
