Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has allocated a total of RM16.42 million to implement a programme to produce high-quality youth leaders, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the Youth Leadership Development Programme that will be implemented includes volunteering activities and social unity projects.
“The State Government focuses on efforts to empower human capital to be always competent, innovative, resilient and have integrity,” he said at the Young Leaders’ Talk with the Chief Minister, in conjunction with the State-level 2023 Anti-Drug Day Commemoration, at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Monday.
Hajiji said various initiatives had been introduced for youths in the State since he helmed the State Government in September 2020.
“In the field of education, the Government has implemented various programmes, including Cash Assistance for Institute of Higher Learning Registration, Special Examination Cash Assistance targeting students sitting for the SPM, STPM and Malaysian Higher Religious Certificate (Stam) examinations.
“Other initiatives are Bantuan Ihsan Komputer (Baik), Bantuan Ihsan Sekolah Sabah (Bisbah), Bantuan Aktiviti Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru-Guru Sabah (Bagus), Bantuan Ihsan Tabung Pendidikan Negeri (Bistari) and the Sabah Education Excellence Award (AKSA),” he said.
The Government, Hajiji said, also created the Sabah Education Fund (TPNS) which is the foundation to enable more Sabah children to have the opportunity to attend higher learning institutions within and outside the country.
He said the Government also established the Malaysian Sabah Student Secretariat (Semesta) to support student associations in all higher learning institutions across the country as well as for students to voice their views, ideas and suggestions for the development and progress of Sabah.
“The State Government’s commitment is not only in the education aspect but also in the field of entrepreneurship, with several schemes introduced such as the Skim Jaya Usahawan Belia Sabah (Syabas) which helps youths involved in business to get back on their feet after being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This programme will continue and the Sabah Youth Council (MBS) can be an important driving force for the implementation of Syabas this year,” he said.
He said the implementation of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Fellows, which started last year, would continue this year under the Inkubator Kepimpinan Belia Sabah (IKBS) with the MBS President who would coordinate in collaboration with the State Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBSS) and Institut Kerjasama Kerajaan dan Rakyat (IKRAR).
“The State Government will also always listen to and focus on the voices of young people in the State because their views and opinions are needed to make the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan a success.
“Therefore, in the 2023 Sabah Budget, the State Government has allocated as much as RM97.5 million for youth and sports development in Sabah.
“The development of human capital is not only for the potential of youths. I am very concerned about the development plan for youths at risk, especially in the issue of drug addiction.
“I am aware of the empowerment of the public awareness programme on drug abuse among youths. I believe that MBS and its affiliated bodies are capable of being a protective factor for at-risk youths,” he said.
At the same time, Hajiji placed high hopes on the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and MBS to move together to ensure that this drug prevention education programme can be implemented in high-risk areas.
“With a strategic plan to nurture the potential development of at-risk youths, it can be successful for the holistic development of Sabah’s youths,” he said.
Hajiji also suggested that all government agencies and youth organisations in the State join hands with AADK in achieving the goal of a drug-free community.
“Youths as a protective factor should support the ‘Lebih Baik Cegah’ campaign because prevention starts at home,” he said.
Also present were State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin and MBS President Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan.
