By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, March 7: The Sarawak government will continue to support and is committed to organisations like Sarawak Scouts for their role in the character development of the youth.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian pointed out that the State government regards youths as future leaders who will determine the direction of the country.
He stressed on the importance of youth development so that the youth will be able to continue the legacy created by the present leadership to see the country prosper in the right direction.
“This is very important as our youths nowadays are subjected to various negative influences from within the country or from outside.”
He elaborated that every effort by the government for youth development also needs support from non-governmental organisations.
“The government is lucky that the Scout movement has been able to set up programmes and activities to train the youths in so many fields so that its members will become more versatile or agile in action.”
Dr Sim said this in his speech when representing Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Scout Gala Dinner 2024, held in conjunction with Sarawak Scouts’ 111th anniversary, at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night.
Dr Sim added the government acknowledged the Scout movement’s history in Sarawak. He said it has been in sync with the ideals of the government in youth development and that Sarawak is proud that the youths are receptive to government development programmes so far.
He reiterated that to develop youth in various fields, the Sarawak government even now has placed the portfolio of entrepreneur development together with the youth and sports.
“Thus, the creation of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Entrepreneur Development and providing free tertiary education for the youths in due course.
“As such, this would be a wise move to prepare our youths for bigger roles in future,” he said.
Dr Sim later presented various awards and medals to Scout members in conjunction with the anniversary and witnessed sponsorship cheque presentations to the organisation from various private and public bodies.
Sarawak Scout Council president Tan Sri Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom, Chief Scout of Malaysia Major General (Retired) Professor Dato Dr Mohd Zin Bidin, Vice President of the Malaysian Scout Council, Dato Ahmad Shazilly Ismail Bakti, Deputy President of the Sarawak Scout Council and Member of the Malaysian Scout Council, Dato Mohamad Safri Abdullah, and Head of the Sarawak Scout Commission Captain Zainuddin Hamdan, were also present. — DayakDaily
