Engaging with the youth: Hannah (second left) participating in a batik painting activity with visitors at the state-level Rakan Muda Mini Tour programme at the Rakan Muda Centre. – Bernama
JOHOR BARU: The revamped Rakan Muda initiative is expected to register one million participants by the end of the year, said Adam Adli Abd Halim.
The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister said this was based on the encouraging response towards weekly Rakan Muda programmes at the district level ever since the initiative was relaunched in June by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Adam Adli said the close cooperation between NGOs and youth associations have also played an important role in attracting more participants.
“These past few weeks have been very fruitful for the ministry as we have met with quite a number of important stakeholders, especially when it comes to ensuring the success of these programmes,” Adam Adli told reporters after attending the National Youth Judo Championships 2023 at Plaza Pelangi here yesterday.
“We have 10 programmes under Rakan Muda that focus on helping our youth groups through volunteering, creating new innovations and circuit sports,” he said. “I believe that some of the huge contributors in terms of participation are through the Fit Malaysia programme and new Sekolah Rukun Negara initiative.”
Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said empowerment programmes for youth will continue to be balanced between giving out cash aid and cultivating skills.
However, she emphasised that the government is more focused on skills’ development instead of giving cash handouts even though the latter is still necessary.
“If you give them fish, they can only eat one meal, but if you give them the skills, they can fish for life,” she added.
She cited the Kelantan Rakan Muda programme and its car-polishing workshops which have enabled young people in the state to earn a sustainable income by providing door-to-door services.
Yeoh noted that while skills are crucial, the government must address varying needs appropriately as today’s youth faces diverse challenges.
“Cash handouts are still needed because there are different youths with different needs today,” she said when attending the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Youth Carnival yesterday.
“Not everybody wants a skill. Some people prefer cash. That’s just the reality out there. And so, we have also to find the balance.”
