Najib moots award

PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister has mooted volunteer awards to recognise 1Malaysia For Youth (iM4U) volunteers and add value to their volunteerism work.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak suggested that deserving young recipients be given bronze, silver and gold awards, giving them an edge in their future work or school applications.

“Whether you want to apply for university, jobs or if you intend to join the public sector, it is not just about your academic qualifications. It is also about leadership. Quality leadership is what makes all the difference,” he said at the launch of iM4U Sentral in Puchong near here yesterday.

Najib said volunteers were not only changing society but they were also transforming themselves despite the lack of monetary rewards.

“Monetary reward cannot replace the value of volunteerism to the country, community and yourself. If we manage to transform ourselves, then the reward is bigger than any allowance you can get,” he added.

The role of the Government, he said, was to prepare funds, venues and create opportunities for the youth.

“But in the end, it is all in our mind. It is in our attitude. The purpose of this iM4U Sentral is not just a place for fun or gathering, but it is also to generate ideas to change and shape the community,” he said.

The new youth centre sits on a 2.25ha site which used to be a sports centre.

It has a two-floor hostel that can accommodate 157 people. The hostel has a shared lobby, laundry, pantry and community bathroom.

The sporting arena is equipped with two futsal courts that is convertible to a FIFA-sized football court, a gymnasium, and courts for basketball, volleyball, sepak takraw and climbing wall for training and practice.

iM4U Sentral also houses the headquarters and radio station iM4U FM.

iM4U CEO Rudy Malik said in his welcome speech that the movement had amassed two million volunteers with 500 active outreach centres in both public and private higher learning institutions since its inception four years ago.

“We have carried out 5,000 community-based activities involving our volunteers,” he said.

Also present at the launch yesterday were Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.