Objective of lowering youth age limit is for development needs

KUALA LUMPUR: The main objective behind a proposal by the youth and sports ministry to lower the definition of 'youth' from the maximum age of 40 to 30 is to be on par with international standards, besides meeting national development requirements.
Deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan said it was also to ensure continuity of the country's future leadership, reduce the generation gap among the youth, accelerate the maturation process and reduce risk behaviour in youth groups.
"It is also to stabilise the identity of youth, strengthen the youth development process, including intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical acumen, as well as guarantee the security and stability of the country," he said in reply to a question by Senator Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian at the Dewan Negara today.
Sim also asked on the impact of the implementation of the age limit on the existence and development of youth organisations nationwide.
Saravanan said the implementation would rejuvenate the leadership of youth organisations.
The media had previously reported that the Malaysian Youth Policy draft to replace the existing policy would propose amendments to the definition of youth aged 15 to 30, as the essence of the changes and improvements, in line with the current needs of youth. – Bernama