Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad performing the launch gimmick.

IPOH, 18 May 2024 - As the heirs of the country's leadership, the role of the youth cannot be marginalised at all, but must be directly involved in the national development agenda.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said this when officiating the Perak State Level National Youth Day 2024 Celebration at the Perak Youth and Sports Complex.

"Imam Hasan Al-Basri, a renowned Islamic scholar, once said, "Youth is the hope of the ummah. If the youth is virtuous, the entire ummah is virtuous. If the youth is corrupt, then the entire ummah is corrupt".

"These words emphasise the significant role of youth as a reflection of the next generation. The direction a nation takes also depends on the wisdom of today's youth generation," he said.

Meanwhile, Dato' Seri Saarani said the Perak Sejahtera Plan 2030 will be improved, including the addition of three new agendas to the six existing agendas.

"This effort is like an annual report card, as the Perak Sejahtera Plan 2030 is a dynamic plan. If there are things that need to be changed, we will change them. Anything that may be seen as slow (development), we will try to improve. That's the purpose," he said.

He added that the details will be announced at the Pelaburan Tahunan Perak Sejahtera 2030 Ceremony in Manjung on 15 June 2024.

He said the theme "Yakin Boleh" is apt to illustrate the importance of self-confidence among the youth in facing the challenges and expectations of the future.

Also present were State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Dato' Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee Chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah, State Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching and State Youth Council (MBN) President Muhammad Puhaz Saleh.

Lastly, he presented awards to 16 youths, including the National Youth Premier Award (APBN) for the youth organisation, individual men and women categories, as well as seven additional awards, i.e. Anugerah Khas Belia Karisma, Anugerah Wirausaha, Anugerah Wirausahawan, Anugerah Daya Maju, Anugerah Relawan Muda, Anugerah Penggiat Sukan dan Anugerah Permata Budi.

 The APBN individual male and female champions were Muhammad Kamal Syukri Kamarudin and Nor Athirah Solehah Azlan respectively. Each received cash of RM3,000 and a trophy. Meanwhile, the runner-up for the youth organisation category was the Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung Cawangan Bagan Datuk, taking home cash of RM10,000 and a trophy.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.