Ministry Plans New Youth Programmes
Kota Kinabalu: The activities of all youth associations in Sabah must be in tandem with the Youth and Sports Ministry’s policy which spells out the “halatuju” (direction) on youth development for the State. Its Minister Datuk Peter Pang En Yin said Sunday, the current youth development programmes drawn up by his ministry will be carried on until the end of 2010.
“At the same time, we (Ministry) are planning new youth programmes which are more relevant to today’s youth needs and aspirations for implementation in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) starting from 2011,” he said when launching the Sabah Girl Guides Carnival 2009 to mark the State-level World Thinking Day celebration on the grounds of Wisma Pandu Puteri at Mile 2Ã, Jalan Tuaran here.
[ad#msgp-posts]In this respect, he urged the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (GGAM) Sabah Branch, which organised the celebration, to contribute ideas, suggestions and approaches for new youth programmes.
“We want the programmes to suit the range of youth needs at district level to ensure that proposed activities will benefit all categories of youth at the grassroots level. Please feel free to contribute through our forum or by writing direct to us. Your input will be greatly appreciated by the ministry.”
Pang, who is Karamunting Assemblyman, singled out youth character building as an integral component of the new youth programmes.
“We will incorporate the important elements of education, spirituality, career and economic opportunities in all the programmes to strengthen youth character formation.”
Given the global economic turmoil, he said his ministry could foresee new challenges in further developing youth potential.
“Despite anticipated hurdles, we cannot compromise efforts but must have a strong will and determination to ensure that our young generation is well-moulded to be good citizens and leaders as we compete with other nations.
“I am happy to note that there are no riots or lack of patriotism nor show of disrespect to the government of the day by our youth today.”
Pang called on GGAM Sabah Branch to continue supporting his Ministry’s youth programmes and events.
Expressing concern over youths’ (including those in the rural areas) access to the Internet, which may provide ‘harmful’ information to a certain extent, he advised them to be intelligent enough to filter the information.
“Please surf the net wisely to your advantage,” he told the girl guides.
“There are also many issues that need your intellect and wisdom in order to make the right decision at any given time.”
Since 1933, February 22 has been named “Thinking Day” for girl guides and girl scouts all over the world to commemorate the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of the Boy Scouts Movement, and his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell. His sister Agnes Baden-Powell founded the Girl Guides Movement. When Lord Baden-Powell became the World Chief Scout in 1920, Lady Olave also served as the World Chief Guide.
Pang was accompanied on his rounds by the President of GGAM Sabah Branch, Datin Naomi Chong Set Mui, State Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides, Tracie Chong and State Training Commissioner Rita Leong.
Earlier, Tracie read out the Thinking Day message from Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Malaysia, Datin Hjh Zalillah Mohd Taib who is based in Kuala Lumpur. This year’s theme is : We can stop the spread of AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Given that young women and girls are vulnerable to HIV and AIDS, she emphasised the importance of education to create awareness and thereby curb the spread of this deadly disease.
“Today, 12 million youths around the world are living with HIV and AIDS, and 6,000 people are contracting the disease each day, that is, a person gets infected every 15 seconds.”
Naomi said GGAM Sabah Branch would organise a similar carnival on a bigger scale next year by involving other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools where the guiding movement exists.
Meanwhile, she expressed her appreciation to Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), State Public Works Department, State Information Department and Sesb KK Branch for their assistance in making the carnival a success.
She also thanked all hamper donors, banner sponsors, Nestle Product Sdn Bhd (Milo), Gui Brothers Sdn Bhd and the provider of VIP refreshments for their contributions.
The sporting Minister supported the carnival by visiting all the stalls and buying guiding T-shirts and umbrellas as well as donating to the Thinking Day Fund (called Thinking Day Penny). He also cut the World Thinking Day cake. Pang also rode on a beautifully decorated horse specially brought in from Kota Belud for the carnival joy rides. Joining him were Membakut Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry, Datuk Rosmadi Datu Sulai and President of Sabah Youth Council (MBS) Mustapha Sakmud.
Also present were GGAM Sabah Branch Past President Datuk Kim Chan, State Girl Guides Camping Commissioner, Norhanida Annol, Deputy State Commissioner of Boy Scouts, Datuk Hj Murshidi Nambi, State Commander of St John’s Ambulance, Dr Atun Wee and Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sabah Branch Vice-President Datuk Baisul Khan.
Source: Daily Express
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