KUCHING: The Youth and Sports Ministry will work with the Sarawak government to instill the values and concept of unity in the development of the sports industry and youth community.
Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said she would discuss the matter further with Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in a meeting in Putrajaya scheduled for Jan 16.
“The concept of unity and multiculturalism that exists in Sarawak is very strong and the ministry wants to see how this idea can be applied in developing sports and youth in Malaysia.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has shared ideas and the state government’s views on the concept. We will take his ideas to Putrajaya to discuss together,” she said after paying a courtesy call on Abang Johari at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today (Jan 9).
The courtesy call was in conjunction with her official visit to Sarawak.
Yeoh said Abang Johari expressed his openness to work with the Federal government to realise the ideas during their one-hour meeting.
Abang Johari had shared his ideas and views, especially on multiculturalism in terms of the strength of unity that exists in Sarawak and how these ideas could be applied to sports and youth development.
“His concept and ideas are quite interesting. We will bring the matter to Putrajaya to discuss together and see how we can work together more closely to develop this industry.
“I have also shared on my limitations and the Premier (Abang Johari) is open to discuss it together.
“We will also work closely with Sarawak’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepeneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and we will be meeting in Putrajaya on Jan 16,” she said.
Yeoh added that her ministry also intends to study and examine Sarawak’s strength in aquatics, which brings more advantages compared to other states.
“We want to learn how aquatic is so strong in Sarawak and what differentiates Sarawak from other states including what has been done to develop the children in the state in the sport. That is one of the things we want to focus on,” she said.
In the meantime, Yeoh said to raise the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), she would spend time visiting Sabah or Sarawak once a month to examine the sports and youth aspects of the two states.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat; ministry’s permanent secretary Morshidi Frederick and state director of Youth and Sports Lamat Jalau.
