KUALA LUMPUR: Although a resounding success, the website of the recently revamped Rakan Muda lacks information and hasn't been updated, says Sim Tze Tzin.
"Previously there were good and extensive promotions of Rakan Muda which attracted much more.
"But presently, there is not much dissemination of the programme.
"I have also visited the website and the website is not up to date.
"Although there are thousands of programmes with millions of participants, information is lacking," Sim (PH-Bayan Baru) said when asking a supplementary question in Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 27).
Sim wanted to know what was being done to better disseminate awareness about the Rakan Muda programme.
Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli acknowledged the current shortcoming, saying that the ministry would forge strategic partnerships next year to create better awareness of Rakan Muda through the mass media and social media.
"Admittedly, currently, we are relying that the programme is organically disseminated by participants through their social media," he said.
The Rakan Muda programme, which was launched in Oct 1994, was revamped in June this year to include 10 lifestyles.
The 10 new lifestyles are Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Litar, Rakan Aktif, Rakan Bumi, Rakan Digital, Rakan Ekspresi, Rakan Muzik, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Niaga and Rakan Prihatin.
Earlier, Adam informed the House that since revamping Rakan Muda in June, a total of 3,947 youth activities were held as of Nov 14.
"A total of 1,786,074 youths had participated in the activities which is well above the one-million target set for this year.
"Rakan Aktif, Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Perihatin and Rakan Digital attracted among the highest number of participants," he added.
He said there are currently 56 Rakan Muda secretariats at local institutions of higher learning and 107 active Rakan Muda clubs nationwide.
Adam said that there are plans next year to further expand the youth programme at the school and grassroot levels.
