Sarawak govt conducting study to gauge views, needs of youths
SIBU: The Sarawak government through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is carrying out a Youth Index Study to gauge the views and needs of Sarawak youths.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the study, which began August last year, involves at least 14,000 respondents from 40 districts across Sarawak. He added that the study is done together with the Institute For Youth Research Malaysia ( Iyres).
Sarawak is the third state in the country to carry out such study, he noted.
“This study is important to the state government and our ministry as it gives relevant information on the situation and wellbeing of the local youth.
“We want to know their views and what are their needs. We can plan policies after getting the feedback from the youth, whether in the rural or urban areas,” Abdul Karim said at the launching of the state-level Youth Day 2018 celebration here yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the launching.
The Asajaya assemblyman expressed confidence that the data gathered would facilitate in planning and implementing various development programmes involving youths.
Abdul Karim, who is also the minister in charge of the celebration, said among the objectives of the celebration was to recognise the contribution of youths in nation building.
He pointed out that this year’s celebration was themed ‘ Belia Cergas Pemangkin Pembangunan Negara’, denoting that youths are future leaders.
In this regard, he added that it is the responsibility of the Sarawak government through his ministry to safeguard the welfare and development of the youth to ensure that this young generation will be good citizens and inherit the leadership of the state in the future.
He said the programmes lined up for the celebration included youth showcase, Youth Got Talents Competition, Active and Healthy Youth, autoshow, ‘ Puteri Belia’ competition, Youth Strongman 2018, Youth Wall Climbing Challenge, kids colouring contest, youth and career exhibition, youth kitchen and stalls.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the survey is to gauge the standard and quality of youths.
“If we have quality youth today, that means we are going to build a quality nation in the future,” he said.
Also present at the launching were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Minister of International Trade and ECommerce and Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan and wife Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking- Lawan, as well as Sibu Resident Charles Siaw.