Youth development a govt priority — Sng

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REWARDED FOR GOOD ACADEMIC RESULTS: Sng presenting a cash incentive to a pupil who excelled in her exam last year as others look on.

KAPIT: The government is always on the lookout for new ways to engage with the youths in its bid to develop them as useful citizens.

As such, it welcomes feedback on how to attract them to join activities that focus on their development, said Youth Adviser in the Chief Minister’s Department Larry Sng.

“The government always focuses on youth development by finding ways to connect with them. We must find ways on how to bring them to join and organise activities where they can be exposed to new methodologies and new approach to doing things.

“There must be an effective link between the youths and the administrators so that the government can plan programmes for them,” he said at the Mooncake Festival cum Presentation of Study Awards ceremony organised by the Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owners’ Association (KCROA) last Sunday night.

At the same time, Larry reiterated that quality education was important for self development, especially for rural students who need good education to improve their socio-economic status.

He also talked at length about the RM1 million Larry Sng Education Fund 2011 which up to date had already spent some RM700,000 to RM 800,000 on eligible and deserving students.

Under the fund, each eligible student receives RM500 to further their studies at institutions of higher learning.

While calling on parents to give priority to their children’s education, he advised them to especially encourage their boys to further their studies as statistics had revealed that the number of female students taking up tertiary education far outnumbered males by 70:30.

“This phenomenon of fewer boys taking up higher studies is a social concern,” he lamented.

Regarding the overall development for Kapit town, he said it had seen rapid development although he was sad that the water treatment plant project had been delayed.

Later, he handed out cash incentives to outstanding students.

Administrative officer Yii See Yong, organising chairman Ngu Tze Kiong, association chairman Ma Tian Ho and his deputy Kong Chen Hwa, and advisers ex-Temenggong Sng Chee Eng, Lau Swee Guan, Wong Pek Hoo and Wong Kiin Kui were among the more than 100 people attending the function.