JOHOR BARU: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that the government has agreed for the creation of a youth special advisory group as part of efforts to strengthen the foundations of youth development in the country.
Besides this, the prime minister also announced that a youth representative will soon be appointed to the Dewan Negara.
Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, said this decision came about after a recent meeting with the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM).
“Each point (from the meeting) raised was noted down and some of them I agreed with. I would like to announce here that among them were those mentioned by Jufitri Joha earlier that the government establish a special advisory group for youths.
“I was advised on what can be done for youths and I agreed with the proposal, and Insya Allah we will implement this.
“To ensure the youth voice on development reaches the highest level of our democratic system, I also want to announce the appointment of a youth representative in the Dewan Negara,” he said in his speech at the National Youth Day celebration at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here, which was greeted with loud applause by some 400 youths and guests at the event.
Earlier, Jufitri, who is MBM president, in his speech asked Muhyiddin to consider setting up a youth-based ‘think and do tank’ to advise, generate ideas and work together with him (prime minister).
Besides this, Jufitri also hoped the country’s leadership will feature more youth personalities in the legislative council and policy-making platforms at all levels in line with the decision to lower the defintion of youth from age 40 to 30.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also gave importance to the role played by youths in assisting the government’s new norms campaign, noting that there has been an increase in the use of digital applications in businesses.
He said youths have now moved on from merely using these applications for communications to generating income from them, such as e-commerce, food, agriculture and health services sectors.
The prime minister also touched on the important role played by youths in the nation’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Youths were always more than ready to be frontliners in helping the government contain Covid-19, Muhyiddin noted.
“As such, I urge all of you to be role models when it comes to embracing the news norms as part of our daily lives. Without your support, it would impossible to break the chain of infection,” he said.
He said youths, many of whom are also frontliners, are good examples of a generation that is resilient to tough challenges, one situation being the ongoing pandemic.
During the event, the prime minister also handed out National Youth Premier awards to 13 winners, including celebrity preacher Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew or popularly known as Ustaz Ebit Lew, who received a special award.
Also present at the event were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. - Bernama
