KUCHING, Jan 5: In an effort to advance community development in the Jepak constituency in 2024, its assemblyman Iskandar Turkee wants to empower its youth to ensure that they have the opportunity to get the education they need to develop their respective careers.
Iskandar aims to position Jepak as a model for development in Bintulu and is keen on establishing collaborations with educational institutions in Bintulu.
This partnership would encourage active youth participation in community development, fostering positive changes.
“I am confident that through collaboration with various parties, such as government agencies, study centers like universities, and the private sector, we can create significant positive changes,” Iskandar stated during a press conference at his office here today.
Expressing interest in technical skills development for youth, Iskandar highlighted the importance of courses like hair styling and cutting skills, similar to those offered by Giat Mara, being made available in his constituency.
He believes that such skills can empower youth to start their own businesses with minimal capital investment, turning it into a lucrative profession.
Encouraging innovation among coastal communities, Iskandar suggested that youth explore creative ways of utilising seafood harvested from the sea, such as shrimp, prawns, and fish.
He proposed turning these resources into various flavored products and creating an industry in Jepak.
“Why not make them into various flavours, pack and merchandise them into a lucrative business and create an industry in Jepak?
“I need a ‘think-tank’ group to speak to the authorities for funding and to create programmes that could help these youths to venture into this seafood business and develop their online marketing skills,” he added.
Iskandar also emphasised the need to address social issues among the youth, such as drug addiction, and proposed including youth progress in every grant allocated for development in the constituency.
He wants community halls and facilities to be utilised by the youth for healthy activities.
Iskandar’s team aims to collaborate with various parties to provide training opportunities and courses aligning with local employment needs, supporting the State government’s vision of developing human capital through education and vocational technical training. — DayakDaily
