Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan
LAWAS: Town hall sessions are good platforms to obtain views and feedback from youths to help the GPS government in formulating new policies that benefit the state and the people.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said this at the inaugural Youth Town Hall session here organised by Sarawak Volunteers.
He said even Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was present, was impressed with the response and views from the youths on current issues and future outlook of the state, and suggested that this kind of programme be extended to other parts of the state.
“The town hall is good as we want to listen to the youths and incorporate good ideas and their feedback into our policies,” said Awang Tengah.
He agreed with the suggestion by the participants that more such town hall sessions be held.
On another matter, Awang Tengah concurred with the suggestion by the chief minister that an incubator for youths be integrated with Lawas Sports Complex to provide a place for holistic learning of digital technology.
The chief minister made the suggestion while fielding questions from the participants on issues affecting them and their expectations of the Sarawak government and future prospects.
They asked the chief minister about housing for youths, technical skills training opportunities, facilities for special needs children, airfare subsidy for students from northern Sarawak studying in other parts of Sarawak, fast internet speed and other subjects.
Earlier, the chief minister gave an outline of his plans for youths and the efforts undertaken by the Sarawak government to shape the future of the young generation in view of the changing social-economic landscape.