ORGANISE EVENTS TO BENEFIT ALL, YOUTH TOLD

Rizalman Hammim

MENTERI Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman have challenged the youth in Ledang to organise large-scale social and recreational programmes which benefit the various races like building a garden and forming a band.

Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman speaking to youth leaders at Ledang Youth Consultative Council at the Industrial Training Institute in Sagil.

Speaking at the opening of the Ledang Youth Consultative Council at the Industrial Training Institute in Sagil recently, he said activities that could be organised included sports and cultural events.

He said a band that consisted of members of the various races who were adept at playing the various musical instruments was another activity that the Ledang youth could organise.

"I am challenging the Ledang youth to set up the band and within a year showcase their talent by playing songs in various languages," he said.

He also suggested the youth, regardless of race, develop a 3.2ha garden of forest plants, which could be used for research as well as for the public to appreciate nature.

Ghani said the youth should take an interest in the environment and help protect the ecology.

The youth associations at the state, district or village-level need to take the lead in organising the activities.

"It is useless to launch a programme on a grand scale at the national or state-level if it does not attract the youth from the district or village.

"This will only reveal the programme has weaknesses, since it fails to attract them," he said.

Ghani admitted there were a number of inactive youth associations at the district-level, but said such problems could be rectified by organising programmes that met the youth's needs and interests.

"I hope to engender enthusiasm among the youth in organising more programmes.

"If funds are needed, I am more than willing to help as such programmes could provide avenues for more youth to participate," said Ghani.

SOURCE: NST JOHOR BUZZ, 23 APRIL 2009