Sarawak Government Committed To Empowering Youth & Communities In Rural Areas
KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is committed to empowering youth and community organisations especially in rural areas.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said in particular, the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) had implemented a wide range of programmes across sports, welfare, leadership, technology, innovation, and community engagement.
“Under the Sports and Recreation Programmes, 55 branches organised activities through the SABERKAS Sports Carnival (KASUS), engaging over 11,000 youths statewide.
“Key events included the SABERKAS Youth Glamping and the 7th SABERKAS Layar Cycling Carnival, with the President’s Cup Futsal Championship planned for May 2026,” he said during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Tuesday.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim added that social and welfare programmes, particularly SABERKAS Prihatin, promoted volunteerism and compassion for vulnerable communities with 48 branches running initiatives.
Meanwhile on leadership and human capital development, he said participants among others attended the Rainforest Youth Summit 2025, Tunas MADANI 3.0, the Peninsular–Sarawak Youth Integration Programme, and the Sarawak-Johor-Sabah-Melaka Programme.
“For Science, Technology, and Innovation, four AI Literacy Programme Series were held across Northern, Central, and Southern Zones, with the final session in Kuching scheduled for December.
“The SABERKAS Women’s Bureau implemented five key programmes, and continued community engagement through five Reach Out Programmes with local branches and the Malaysian Youth Council at Pakan, Tanjong Datu, Asajaya, Pelawan and Telang Usan,” he explained.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim further highlighted the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association’s (PEMADAM) continuous programmes which have demonstrated clear, positive impacts in supporting youth development and rehabilitation.
The initiatives have successfully guided students towards meaningful pathways, with five students from Henry Gurney School and mainstream schools enlisting in the Army and two others joining the Royal Malaysian Navy, alongside other students who have progressed to higher education and stable employment.
These achievements reflect the effectiveness of PEMADAM’s outreach in helping at-risk youths build disciplined and purposeful futures. -UKASnews
