Kota Kinabalu: Youth associations in Sabah are playing a crucial role in empowering young people to express their views and influence policy decisions, according to Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan.
Fairuz highlighted the importance of youth associations registered with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia or the Registrar of Youth Societies.
He emphasised that these associations serve as vital platforms for young people to voice their opinions and contribute to the development of the State.
“At my Ministry level, the Sabah Youth Council is the central body driving youth work,” said Fairuz.
“It assists young people in establishing associations and acts as a consultant for youth welfare and development.”
The Sabah Youth Council also serves as a crucial information conduit, collaborating with government and private agencies both domestically and internationally.
To ensure that youth voices are heard, the Ministry has implemented several initiatives, including the Inkubator Kepimpinan Belia Sabah (Ikebs) programme.
This initiative includes the Dewan Belia Sabah Programme and Sabah Maju Jaya Fellow Programme, both designed to empower young people and provide them with opportunities to engage in policy-making.
The Dewan Belia Sabah Programme, a simulation of the State Legislative Assembly sitting, allows young people to participate in parliamentary-style discussions and present their ideas and opinions on current issues and policies.
The Sabah Maju Jaya Fellow Programme, on the other hand, provides exposure to the management and administrative systems of the State government. Participants gain valuable insights into the functions and governance of ministries and agencies at the highest level, enabling them to contribute to policy discussions directly related to youth issues.
“The aspirations of the youth should have a place in the policy-making process,” said Fairuz. “Besides exercising their rights as citizens, youth participation in public policy formation also enhances their position to jointly drive the development of a nation.”
By providing platforms for youth engagement and participation, Sabah’s youth associations are empowering young people to become active stakeholders in the state’s development, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions are valued.
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