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.