By Yvonne T
KUCHING, Dec 16: The Sarawak government is stepping up efforts to engage youths across the State as part of a broader push to deepen their participation in the State’s development, viewing them as key drivers of the State’s economic growth.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said youth empowerment lies at the heart of the Ministry’s approach, recognising young people not merely as beneficiaries of development but as active economic actors and future productivity drivers.
“The 2026 Budget is envisioned to prioritise investments in skills development, leadership training, employability, and innovation ecosystems that enhance human capital quality.
“By equipping youth with relevant competencies aligned to emerging industries, sports economy, creative and cultural industries, digital entrepreneurship, and green enterprises. My Ministry positions youth as a long-term multiplier for labour productivity, income generation, and GDP growth,” he said during the Fireside Forum: Driving Growth in Sarawak Socio-Economic Front held in conjunction with the 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference here today.
He pointed out that the government is also strengthening youth engagement through various ground-level engagement through programmes such as Jelajah Belia Sarawak, which takes government initiatives directly to young people.
“It is my wish to be able to be able to engage with all 45 districts in Sarawak. We’ve been moving on the ground and having townhalls with them. To let them know what are the opportunities that the Ministry offers to them.
“Engagement with the youth, personally I see, is very important for the well-being of the State as well as politically,”
He noted that Sarawak is also the only State that has progressed to the second phase of the Youth Index Study, which assesses the development of the quality and well-being of the youth in the State, highlighting the State’s commitment to evidence-based youth policy.
He further emphasised on rural inclusion, stressing on the government’s efforts in improving last-mile connectivity to rural areas.
“By reducing distance and cost barriers, mobility improvements enable rural communities to participate more actively in the State’s economic ecosystem.”
Abdul Karim pointed out these efforts to reach youths across the State are to build confidence that the government remains committed to their aspirations.
“Our engagement is to give youths the confidence that the government is with them,” he added. – DayakDaily
