Sabah to formulate Youth Development Enactment

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor (centre) with this year's Anugerah Perdana Belia winners.
KOTA KINABALU (May 17): The State Government will formulate the Sabah Youth Development
Enactment making it the legal platform to strengthen the management of youth organisations, expand recognition of youth activism and ensure a more structured space for development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
Speaking at the state-level National Youth Day celebrations at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex here today, Hajiji said:
'With this enactment, we want every youth leader to be given the time, space and support to lead confidently and continue to contribute to the state without being sidelined due to policy changes.'
He said the State Ministry of Youth and Sports (KKBS) and the Sabah Youth Council (MBS) have been entrusted to look into this matter including the youth age transition policy issue.
'KKBS and MBS will 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,' he added.
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.
'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 the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, in his policy speech had emphasized that youth development should be prioritized, 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.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government had launched several initiatives and educational assistance programmes that have benefited students in this state.
He said new initiatives such as the Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi dalam Negeri (SENTOSA) and Sumbangan Kegiatan Sekolah Secara One-Off (SUKSES) have also 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, he said.
'Other initiatives that have been implemented and continued this year include the One-Off Cash Assistance for IPT Registration (BUDI), Computer Assistance Programme (BAIK), Special Cash Examination Assistance (BAKTI), and 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 utilised 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 Sabah Youth Council, supported by the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports (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.

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