Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan youths should voice out their opinions and perspectives on issues concerning them through the right channels, said Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim.He said programmes such as the "Voice Out 2012" organised by the Alamesra Youth-PREP Centre (YPC) in collaboration with Land Empowerment Animals People (Leap) and Sabah Women Action Resources Group (Sawo) is a good platform for youths to express themselves instead of taking to the streets to do so.
Officiating at the youth art festival held at Suria Sabah, Saturday, Jahid urged youths to use such platform for their empowerment and express their artistic talents on issues that concern them.
Complimenting the organiser of the programme themed "Break Out", he said the theme was very relevant for youths who are in the process of moulding an identity for themselves, especially in the middle of the current ebb and flow in and around Malaysia.
He said with the help of the organiser, the programme would allow youths to be exposed to the wider world, beyond the scope of their normal environment.
"Broader exposure and participation in the production of art will help our youths to better understand their inner feelings and spirit.
"I hope the exposure allows them to walk on their own and make them stronger and more confident to face the challenges ahead," he said, adding that youths should not be afraid to express themselves.
The one-day annual festival, which was held for the third time, aimed to reach out to young people aged 15 and above around the city through art as its medium and to raise awareness on the issues and challenges faced by Sabahan youths today as well as to promote services of YPC, Leap and Sawo.
Its organising chairperson Mary Anne Baltazar said the programme was a way to reach the youths and speak to them in their own youthful ways, style and aspirations and that the event was also to rally youths together to bring their talents to another level by participating in the awareness programme on issues involving them.
"The abundance of talent and the growing interest among our youths in expressing creativity and ideas, as reflected by Sabahans participating at the national level, calls for more platforms for youths to gain knowledge, experience and exposure.
"As beacons of our future, youths should be empowered and given the encouragement that they need in order to build a future generation that we dream of.
"At the same time, there is a visible increase in social problems among youths of Sabah.
Youths are easily exposed to corrupting media influences and are vulnerable to the rapid changes of city life today," she said.
Among the programmes lined up for the day were "Finding Huminodun and Sindak Pangazou" to mark the Kaamatan celebration month, young lawyers verses students debate, band and traditional performance and exhibitions.
