(From left) Mawan, Adenan and Abdul Karim pose for the media before the start of their Youth Day celebration briefing at Wisma Bapa Malaysia. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The state-level Youth Day celebration scheduled to be held in Bintulu on June 13 will act as a launching pad for the government’s youth engagement initiative.
Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said the main objective of the event is to reach out to the youths and create stronger ties with them to understand and meet their needs.
The highlight of the event will be a ‘Town Hall’ session, where Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will engage with about 500 youths in a two-way communication to talk on government policies, his vision and other related topics.
“The state would like to collaborate with the youths, discuss on things that will spur their interests and participation. We do not want to dictate things. This Youth Day celebration should be enriching, interactive and become an avenue for us to reach out especially to those who were not part of any government activities all this while.
“We are outreaching the youths. The main objective in organising this programme is because we want to show that the government is sensitive and caring to their needs,” Mawan told reporters when met after paying a courtesy call on Adenan at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Others present were Assistant Youth Development Minister (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Youth Development Minister (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom who is the organising chairman of the event.
Mawan added that the June 13 celebration at the Bintulu Civic Centre would be complemented with various other activities and programmes which would also be attended by state dignitaries as a way to interact directly with the young people.
“There will be games, sporting events, entertainment, forums and many others. We want these events to be accommodating to everybody. We hope the youths are interested to participate, especially those who have been keeping themselves away from mainstream activities,” he continued.
He also said employers from various sectors would be invited to engage with students, graduates and job seekers to discuss on job opportunities, qualification and skills including topics such as how to make oneself become more appealing in the job market.
To a question whether the programme is held in view of the coming state election, Mawan said it was not the case because the event would not be confined to registered voters or political inclination.
Prior to the official programme, other side events (between June 10 and 14) include Mini Youth Carnival in Tatau and Sebauh; traditional sports carnival at Bintulu Civic Centre; career, education and training expo; martial-arts competition; auto show; health and fitness programmes; religious talk; frisbee competition; cycling programme from Jepak to Kuala Tatau; community service programmes and colouring contest.
The state is looking to hold similar events in other divisions.