Youth committees to train tomorrow’s leaders

Young people from Village Community Management Councils and Women and Family Development Committee playing a board game at the youth centre in Kampung Simpah. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

PENANG will set up Youth Committees (JBPP) in all its 40 state constituencies to empower the younger generation.

Penang youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the committees would complement the existing Village Community Management Councils and the Women and Family Development Committee to provide better and more inclusive community development.

“We hope the initiative will provide a platform for youths to interact with one another and share ideas. We wish to train more young leaders in line with our ‘Youth for the Future’ vision.

“Each committee will soon appoint 10 members aged between 18 and 35 who will be on duty from May this year to December next year.

“With support from Penang Youth Development Corporation, the JBPP will operate from youth centres in each state constituency,” he said at a press conference at the youth centre in Kampung Simpah in the Bagan Jermal constituency.

Four other youth centres have already been formed in Balik Pulau, Penaga, Bertam and Penanti to provide recreational activities.

Soon said each JBPP would be provided a RM10,000 allocation each year to organise events.

Appointed committee members will be given allowances.

“Penang has allocated RM1.06mil to run the JBPP programme this year and RM1.4mil for next year,” he added.