THE Rakan Muda programme, given a new lease of life, will prepare youth to turn Malaysia into a great nation, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.  

Speaking at the launch of Rakan Muda’s new phase at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia today, the prime minister said the programme advocates humanitarian values and rejects corruption and hypocrisy.  

“It prepares a generation that applies human values by respecting one another, embraces and advocates kindness, brotherhood, technology and hates corruption, hypocrisy and racism,” he said to loud applause from youth at the event. 

Addressing himself as “Pakcik Anwar” while engaging with the participants, the prime minister also called on youth to put a stop to outmoded thinking and spurn elements that could potentially divide the nation.  

“… (the ones) to decide (the country’s future) are not from the older generation with outmoded thinking and who are bent on dividing the nation, (but rather) those who will be saving the people and the country are the youth themselves,” he said. 

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and her deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim.

Anwar gave assurance that the Madani government would provide the necessary support for youth development.  

“We have a team in the (Youth and Sports) ministry who I believe can be the voice of youth, (with) their programmes, their concern towards this purpose. The government, with its concept of Madani, will assist in any way it can.  

“… what I ask is for you to be aware of the challenges of this world, in a world of social media that challenges youth in making the right choice as one generational mistake can punish and spell doom for the nation,” he said.  

Registration for the Rakan Muda new phase can be done by calling 03-88713724, visiting https://www.kbs.gov.my/rakanmuda.html or emailing [email protected]. 

P. Sathiyakumari, 32, who had been involved in the programme’s “Rakan Prihatin” lifestyle category since her student days at Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2012, said she had been part of many community welfare programmes locally and abroad.   

“I was involved with flood relief and humanitarian missions in Sri Lanka. My hope is for the young people out there to join Rakan Muda for its many benefits and a chance to spread kindness.  

“Rakan Muda provides us the opportunity to build resilience and self-confidence,” Sathiyakumari, now a presenter with Minnal FM, said. – Bernama, June 25, 2023.