SIBU: About 5,000 youths throughout the state gathered at the state-level Youth Day 2018 celebration held at the Sibu Indoor Stadium from November 16 to 18.
Speaking at the launch of the event yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Youth Day celebration was to recognise the contributions of youths in Sarawak’s development.
“We are happy to have this year’s Youth Day celebration in Sibu simply because the locals are supportive towards this social event. The unity of the locals here shows the true spirit of unity in diversity,” he said.
Also present at the event were Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, International Trade and E-Commerce Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh; Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as well as Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Touching on the function with the youths in Tradex Kenyalang Saturday, Johari said that he saw the youths as having very good creativity in terms of ICT.
He said they (youths) want to reach out to the world, thus he has set up venture capital fund for the young people amounting to RM5 million.
“When you have your own products through your own creativity, then we will provide venture capital fund for you, for you to pursue what you want to do.
“If Finland can do it, our Sarawak can also do it. That’s why I’m confident that we can command on modern technology. I believe in the youths’ ability, so I want the digital economy in Sarawak because you are very smart youths,” he said At the function, Johari also stressed the important of ICT, in which he wanted to upgrade the level of Internet speed in Sarawak.
“We have high Internet speed, where you can go to the website and get the latest information that can give you value to what you want to do.” he added.
On the Youth Index Study, the Chief Minister said that the study aims to get the standard and quality of youth.
“That means, we are going to build quality nation in the future; this is our approach,” he explained.
In Sarawak, he said the state government will continue to develop institution of higher learning in related field.
“We have a university in Sibu here, which is University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) and it means we have certain disciplines where you can acquire relevant knowledge for the future,” said Johari.
He therefore said the state government always emphasised on youths’ welfare, health, and spiritual domains.
“This is the very reason why our state government and leaders are always thinking about the future of our youths and are very concerned about their future.
“The future of our community, our state and our country are in your hands. You are very important to us. You are our valuable assets of the future. Let us work together so that our youths will have a brighter and better future.
“All of these will take a lot of hard work and patience. All of us will have to play our roles in order to see these through simply because co-operation and support must be given by all parties in order to make things happen,” he said.
