Celebrating SABERKAS 50th golden jubilee on a grand scale starting July this year

Sarawak United National Youth Organisation or SABERKAS will be 50 years old in July 2023 but we are making preparations for the golden jubilee celebration this year. We have already formed a committee to organise the celebration of the forthcoming special occasion. There will be various activities and programmes to be held throughout the celebration period.

The organization is an apolitical organisation with members coming from different social and political backgrounds including those from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and also from opposing parties. Our membership goes across the board and we do not use SABERKAS as a means to gain political mileage. It serves as a youth mobiliser and a good avenue for them to networking with their own peers from all over Sarawak. 

I have chaired SABERKAS' 54th Supreme Council Meeting recently and we are optimistic in having a  branch in each of the 82 state constituencies. Presently we have set up branches in 78 constituencies mostly in major towns and coastal areas, and only four areas which have not registered. These remaining branches are located in the northern region. Their registrations are expected to be completed in the next three or four months once the administrative processes are settled. If the new branches are not established, SABERKAS would not be able to channel the annual allocations of RM21,000 to them and this would cause the youths in these areas to lose out in terms of having events and activities in their areas. 

Getting our youths to join Sarawak's "Youth Entrepreneur Setup" programme

I have called on our local youths to participate in the "Youth Entrepreneur Setup" (YES) programme which had been endorsed by Sarawak's government as its platform to guide and inspire young talents to venture into entrepreneurship

In fact, this youth-oriented programme was first mooted by Sarawak's Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who had talked on how to aspire and inspire our youths.Thus, the portfolio of entrepreneur development was included in our Ministry of Youth, Sports and Youth Development (MYSED) to spearhead the initiative. This resulted in the formation of "YES" programmed to bring young and aspiring entrepreneurs together, to enable them to give ideas as well as share experience and expertise. I have mentioned to them that entrepreneurs, can be from various sectors namely agriculture, services, food and beverages, among others but all require the same elements to succeed.

Looking at the huge turnout at the event, I was confident that the programme could be carried out in other districts, to reach its objectives. MYSED’s role is not about giving out grant, as he believed was not the right way to help and guide the young ones. We have to provide the youths a platform, train them till they have reached or done their best at certain levels, and only then incentives should be given as their rewards.

That is the kind of outlook we want because we believe that merely giving out money will not help the youths much in the long run. Our youth's mindset must change, take up the challenge and be equipped with mental strength, creativity, determination to work hard and to commit to responsibilities in order to become successful in near future.

My comments on results of Johor's recent state elections

The dust had settled and the people of Johor had given their mandate to the Barisan Nasional (BN) to be the government of the day. I think the folks in Johor are hoping and looking forward to political stability following BN's langslide victory in the March 12 state's election. The voters in Johor have voted and the process of democracy has been done. 

Congratulations to BN for their big win. We hope with this big win, we will see political stability in Johor. The BN candidates had swept 40 out of 56 seats the Johor state polls while opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) had managed to scoop up 12 seats. Perikatan Nasional (PN), helmed by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin won three seats, and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) won only one seat. 

Best news of the week on review of special grants for Sarawak between the state government and the Finance Ministry

The forthcoming discussions on the review of special grants for Sarawak between the state government and the Finance Ministry was one of the best news of the week for our local folks. As disclosed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili in Parliament recently, such move was part of the efforts to restore and honour the rights of both Sabah and Sarawak as stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

For Sarawak, the handing over of authority in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the state was inked on June 1, last year and it was agreed during the MKMA63, headed by former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Both Sarawak and its neighbour Sabah were also empowered to issue deep sea fishing licenses on October 18 during the MKMA63 meeting chaired by Prime Minister in the which the details are expected to be resolved latest by next month. Alhamdullilah, both Sarawak and Sabah will also benefit from the amendment to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution, which was unanimously passed by the Dewan Rakyat on December 14 last year.

We are supporting the ongoing efforts in the crucial and historic resolution of the constitutional amendments to Article 1(2) and 160(2) that is pertaining to the equal status of Sabah and Sarawak, to redefine the ‘federation’, and institutionalising September 16 as Malaysia Day. Kudos to the Federal Government, through the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), that will continue to discuss pressing issues and ensure the rights and demands of the Borneo states are met. Thus, we welcome the series of meetings and discussions are to be held throughout the year  with the aim to settle any issues along the way.