KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) — The government and youths are partners in nation building and the government will adopt a constructive engagement in its relationship with youths said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin said such an approach can be forged by fostering a close relationship and listening to the views of youths so as to unveil new and vibrant ideas that can be used for nation building.
“Youths and the government are inter-dependent, help each other to shoulder the burden, and work as a team to ensure success for the nation,” he said when launching the National Level Youth Day celebrations here Sunday night.
Muhyiddin said although youths normally have critical views when discussing current issues, it can be channeled constructively so that the government can look at the issue from a different perspective.
As such, by working hand in hand, the government would be able to resolve numerous issues faced by youths and at the same time youths can contribute their potential to the nation, he said.
Muhyiddin said the youths played an important and strategic role in contributing towards national development and the importance of the youths was not merely due to their large number, comprising more than one-third of the Malaysian population, but because of their quality.
Youths with creative ideas represented the country’s major asset because to achieve the developed nation status, especially in an economic environment based on knowledge, the nation depended greatly on the people’s creative and innovative qualities, he said.
“The youths too have strong idealism. It is not abnormal to see the youths giving their own views and perspective on social, political, and economic issues which are all very important in our efforts to build a progressive, fair and prosperous society,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The National Youth Day 2011, with the theme “Youths the Catalyst for Transformation”, was held at an open area in Jalan Bukit Bintang and attended by about 3,000 people comprising mostly youths and even tourists.
The National Youth Day celebration reflects the recognition given by the government for the contribution of the young generation towards national development.
At the gathering, Muhyiddin was also given a big surprise when he was invited up the stage to cut a cake in conjunction with his 64th birthday today.
— BERNAMA
