KOTA KINABALU: Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh (pic) has cautioned that delaying the enforcement of Malaysia’s youth age cap could marginalise younger voices in leadership.
She said without change, individuals over 30 would continue to dominate youth platforms, resulting in repeated narratives rather than fresh perspectives.
Yeoh was responding to concerns from Sabah and Sarawak over the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2019, which sets the youth age limit at 30.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The Act will come into force on 1 January 2026 for organisations registered under the Registrar of Youth (ROY).
She noted that while youth groups under the Registrar of Societies (ROS), such as Sabah’s Youth Council and Saberkas, are not bound by the age cap, their leaders over 30 should consider transitioning into alumni roles to continue contributing.