Govt meeting youth groups over legislation age limit

PUTRAJAYA: The government will meet representatives of 41 youth organisations tomorrow to discuss issues linked to the implementation of the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act (Amendment) 2019 (Act 668) which lowers the age for holding a position to 30.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the agenda included finding a win-win situation for all.

Bernama quoted him as saying that the majority of youth associations had agreed to the proposal to lower the age limit.

“But they need time for a ‘soft landing’ because some organisations have held their meeting for elections early, and if we set Jan 1 (for implementation) it will upset their plans.

“So, this is what we want to look into to find a happy solution for all parties,” he told reporters when met after the KayuhLasak Shapadu-KBS Putrajaya 2021 programme here yesterday.

On Nov 17, Ahmad Faizal announced in Parliament that the act which lowered the age limit from 40 to 30-years-old will be enforced from Jan 1 next year.

On another matter, he said the ministry constantly monitored the health of Malaysian athletes competing internationally in relation to Covid-19.

“It’s not only our footballers in Singapore, but also our women hockey players who are in Bangladesh.

“So far, those infected are not critical,” he added.

It was reported that national footballers – Khairulazhan Khalid, Faisal Halim, Akhyar Rashid and Quentin Cheng – tested positive for Covid-19.