Ugak (sixth left) presents a grant to a recipient.
KAPIT: The rise of negative youth culture here is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed quickly, said Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
He said the way many youths here are spending their time is of grave concern.
“When they indulge in social menaces like loafing, truancy, alcoholism, drug abuse, etc, it adversely affects their quality of life and, worse still, derails them from their core business – to focus on their school work,” he said during an event at Rumah Anchi Baring, Nanga Sepajie, Sungai Mujong, Baleh over the weekend.
“Before these social problems get out of control, I call for the collective effort of all quarters concerned to work together on how best to address the issues to help the younger generation to get on the right track of life.”
He pointed out that many youths and students often loiter at a shopping area here and patronise a karaoke centre.
“This isn’t good for them when they spend hours entertaining themselves and forget their studies. In this light, I call on the parents to keep a closer watch over their teenage children. Do keep track of their movement and peer groups.
“Youngster should stay at home to focus on school work and studies instead of enjoying themselves and spending their parents’ hard-earned money,” he said.
He also called on school leavers to grab opportunities to prepare themselves to acquire technical and vocational skills and qualifications to fill the jobs that will be created by the construction of the Baleh Dam, which at its peak will require some 8,000 to 10,000 workers.
“Don’t be a bystander, you must be a participant when the opportunity is at your doorstep,” he advised.
Ugak also presented government grants to the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Emperan Kepayang Majau; Nanga Semawang Majau JKKK; Nanga Senuang Majau JKKK; Lubok Mawang Majau JKKK; Nanga Sepajie Majau JKKK; Nanga Sengkabang Majau JKKK; Nanga Sepaku Majau JKKK; Sungai Tiau Ili JKKK; Sungai Tiau Ulu JKKK; Nanga Sepinang Paku JKKK; Nanga Sebelanda Paku JKKK; Kapit District Council Sports and Recreation Club; as well as the Rumah Anchi Women’s Bureau.