KUALA LUMPUR - The voices of young people should not be disregarded and their involvement should be expanded, especially in societal and political issues, given their role as future leaders.
National Youth Icon 2011 and Asean Youth Icon 2011 Mohammad Rizan Hassan said young people's energy, spirit, and idealism can inspire change, unite communities and foster a sense of belonging within a nation.
"By lending their voices to causes aligned with the nation's values and aspirations, youths help shape a country's narrative and strengthen its cultural and historical identity.
"Through their actions and advocacy, young citizens can inspire others to take pride in their country, preserve its traditions and work towards a shared vision of progress and prosperity,” he said in a statement.
According to data from the Department of Statistics in 2020, youths in Malaysia make up an estimated 44.2 per cent, or 14.9 million, of the total population.
The National Youth Day is celebrated every May 15 and this year's national-level celebration will be held at Dataran Pahlawan, Banda Hilir, Melaka from May 24 to 26, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expected to officiate the event on May 25.
The theme "Yakin Boleh" (Confident and Capable) has been chosen this year to highlight the responsibility of the younger generation in fostering patriotism, promoting unity and contributing to national development.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid called on the younger generation to be more proactive by engaging in community activities, which can contribute to character building and developing their soft skills.
"They should take the opportunity to get involved in association activities to broaden their horizons as this can provide opportunities and access to better education and experiences.
"Today’s youth need to build confidence and always prepare themselves to face various challenges," he said as a guest on Bernama TV's "Darah Muda" programme on Monday.
He said the theme "Yakin Boleh" is a continuity of the slogan of the Rakan Muda programme, an initiative under the Ministry of Youth and Sports that began in 1994.
Among the programmes lined up for the celebration in Melaka are the Palestine Solidarity Night, the Yakin Boleh Malaysia Youth Run 2024, the Youth Community Gathering, youth camping, the State Arts and Culture Pavilion, a career carnival and the sales and exhibitions by government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organisations.
The celebration will also feature the Kembara RIUH @ HBN 2024, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and coordinated by MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd. - BERNAMA