Sabah youth empowerment act to address unique challenges

LocalPolitics
18 May 2025 • 5:32 PM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

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By: Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd

The proposed Sabah Youth Development Enactment, announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, is seen as timely and essential to address the unique socio-demographic and leadership challenges faced by youth in the state.

Sabah Youth Council (MBS) President Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said the enactment aims to resolve issues such as the national move to lower the youth age limit to 30 by 2026, which he believes overlooks Sabah's realities.

Only 15 pc of Sabah’s youth participate in clubs and volunteer groups, he noted, adding that the new law should reflect Sabah’s diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural landscape.

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');});Abqaree also voiced support for the upcoming Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap, which continues efforts from SMJ 1.0 to strengthen youth development through education and human capital initiatives.

The enactment will be reviewed by the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry and MBS, including policies on youth age transition.