Perdana Fellows to be mentored by Cabinet ministers, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: The Perdana Fellows Programme will give youths a chance to be trained to be the country's future leaders, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that the mentoring and internship programme will give youths a chance to get to know Cabinet ministers better and understand how they carry out their duties.

"It is a programme that provides good exposure, not only to get to be mentored by ministers, but also to understand their daily working routine, traditions as well as conventions of the work within the government," said Anwar.

"It will also give (the youth) a chance to understand the policies and I believe that such experiences will enrich them," he added.

Anwar said this in his opening speech at the 2023 Perdana Fellows presentation ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex today (Aug 23).

A total of 56 youths have been selected to participate in the Perdana Fellows programme this year, and their stint will run from Aug 23 to Dec 31.

The participants will receive direct guidance and mentoring from Cabinet ministers, who will have to mentor two participants for their respective ministries.

Post-graduate participants will receive a monthly allowance of RM2,000, while those who are still studying will receive RM1,000 per month.

The Prime Minister will be personally mentoring European School of Political and Social Sciences graduate Dayang Nur Syawanie Abang Redzuan and Muhamamad Firdaus Ali, who is currently studying in Japan's Shiga University.

The programme is coordinated by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Anwar said the Perdana Fellows programme participants were picked from the top performing graduates and students across the country.

"I hope that the top performers will benefit and be prepared to be future leaders," said Anwar.