KUCHING: The winners of the National Youth Premier Awards (APBN) 2020 (Anugerah Perdana Belia Negara) were all smiles as they received their well-earned prizes at the state-level National Youth Day 2020 celebration at Pullman Hotel here on Saturday (August 29).
Championing the Women (Individual) category was Dayang Nur’Maisarrah Abang Abdul Razak while Mohd Shahrul Kamaruddin was the winner in the Men (Individual) category. Winning the APBN Award for the Organisation category was Mukah Parliament Youth Organisation.
The individual category winners each won RM3,000, a trophy and a certificate, while the Mukah Parliament Youth Organisation was awarded RM10,000, a trophy and a certificate.
Dayang Nur’Maisarrah Abang Abdul Razak, 22, from Kuching, expressed her happiness in receiving the prestigious award and said it was a huge responsibility to be a role model for Sarawak’s youths.
“I believe in youth power. Youths should always challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zone and to make full use of golden opportunities. This is the best opportunity for youths to achieve more and even make our country and state proud,” she said when met by New Sarawak Tribune.
Dayang Nur’Maisarrah Abang Abdul Razak. 
Mohd Shahrul Kamaruddin. 
Muhamad Tarmizi Karnain Abdah.
She also voiced her gratitude to Saberkas Satok branch chairman Mohammad Akram Mohammed Karim for his support as well as everyone who had been directly or indirectly involved in her achievements and activities during her time at University College of Islam Melaka.
“It was there that I gained more knowledge on leadership, volunteerism and charity,” she said, adding that studying in Melaka made her somewhat like a mini ambassador for Sarawak and she proudly carried her identity of being a Sarawakian everywhere she went.
She said she was currently undertaking part-time study while working at the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) in its Policy and Legislation Division.
Meanwhile, Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Kuching counsellor Mohd Shahrul Kamaruddin, 33, also from Kuching, urged youths to not give up easily and to instead always think positively.
“There will certainly be opportunities and everyone in this world has his or her own potential; what is important is we must strive to enhance that potential,” he said.
He emphasised that youths were capable of advancing the country and therefore the voice of youths needed to be heard.
Mukah Parliament Youth Organisation assistant secretary Muhamad Tarmizi Karnain Abdah, 22, said this award would further motivate youths all over Sarawak to get involved in various youth activities, courses, and voluntary programmes.
“Continue efforts to develop youths in terms of economy, entrepreneurship, education, and religion,” he urged, also stressing that everyone should move towards digitalisation which is especially important in this era.
The runners-up for APBN 2020 were Ahmad Qadri Basri in the Men (Individual) category, Qaisarah Abdullah in the Women (Individual) category, and Bintulu Recreational and Social Youth Club (Kelab Belia Sosial Riadah Bandar Bintulu) in the Organisation category.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was given the honour to officiate at the event.
