By Jacob Achoi
BAU, Sept 12: The Sarawak Youth Tour (Jelajah Belia Sarawak) programme which is presently being held across the state is apolitical, asserts Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the programmes, which were initiated in April last year, were the result of the census on Youth Aspiration and Hope carried out in 2018.
“Sarawak is the third state beside Sabah and Johor which carried out a census on Youth Aspiration and Hope and this has been compiled in a book.
“So we don’t want the people to perceive that this programme (Sarawak Youth Tour) is political in nature.
“The programme is the result of the census that we have embarked on and it is apolitical,” Abdul Karim said when officiating at Sarawak Youth Tour programme at Kpg Skiat Baru Community Hall, near here today.
The programme today is the 16th series with another 24 districts to be covered.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth and Sports also said that youths as the future leaders should join forces with the state government to preserve peace and harmony among the various races and religions.
“You (youths) need to help the government to have our unity in diversity intact because with that will have a stable government.
“Because without a stable government, the aspiration and hope of the youths will not be achieved,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said Bau, which is blessed with many caves and history can become a prime tourist destination.
In view of this, he pointed out that it was important that the facilities like toilets be upgraded and the people well versed in the historical places.
“With many caves available in Bau plus the historical places, this can become a storyline to promote,” he said.
Earlier, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said 25 youth clubs from Tasik Biru participated in today’s programme.
He said several clubs and individuals from the area were keen to participate, but the crowd has to be limited under the standard operating procedure (SOP) due to Covid-19 pandemic. — DayakDaily
