KUCHING: Youth programmes held by the Sarawak Youth and Sports Ministry are free of political elements, said its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He stressed that the ministry is serious when it comes to youth development.
“We do not hold programmes only when there is an election coming up. All youth programmes are held throughout the year,” he told reporters here today.
For him, putting aside political influences is necessary to develop a better understanding of various development programmes and initiatives planned for the younger generation.
“I have been engaging with the youth through programmes such as ‘Jelajah Belia’ and we documented all issues brought up by them.
“We need to put aside politics because we want our youth to speak up and voice their opinions on issues concerning them.
“This helps us to identify their aspirations,” he said.
With the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, he said the ministry had instructed all programmes to be held small-scale.
