TUARAN: Youths are vital economic drivers and agents of change needed immediately to realise the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Speaking when officiating the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival 2026 at Padang Istiadat on Thursday, he stated that the State Government remains committed to empowering youth through targeted assistance, funding, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) to foster job creation.
He noted that the State Government allocated RM98.06 million to the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy for 2026 to support human capital, youth bodies, sports, and entrepreneurs via the Sabah Youth Entrepreneur Success Scheme (Syabas).
Hajiji added that additional support structures include the Rumah Mesra SMJ housing scheme for newlyweds, the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers initiative for policy input, and the revamped Sabah Youth Assembly.
He described the carnival as a fusion of Sabah's traditional marketplace heritage with youthful innovation, establishing a dynamic platform for local entrepreneurship, cultural engagement, and community networking.
