Young Generation Must Be Prepared to Inherit Leadership, Says PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 - The young generation today must be prepared to inherit the national leadership and at the same time generate a strong labour force for the future, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. "The present young generation will become the work force for the private and public sectors and at the same time generate a strong manpower," the Prime Minister said when launching the 'Rakan Muda' Phase 2 at the Rakan Muda Complex in Bukit Kiara, here tonight. He said the young generation was being exposed to various opportunities to improve themselves so that they could give better contribution to the people and nation. "The young generation must arm themselves with adequate knowledge so that they could contribute effectively to the country's development," the Prime Minister said. The launching of the Rakan Muda Phase 2 aims at strengthening further the implementation of the Rakan Muda programmes especially in terms of their methodology. In addition, it also aims to get more community leaders at all levels and localities to be involved in the programmes and strengthen cooperation between the Youth and Sports Ministry and the other government agencies and the private sectors in implementing the programmes drawn up. In his speech, Abdullah also stressed that the young generation today must grab the educational opportunities available for self-advancement so that they could serve the people and country. He said the young generation must be more motivated as the modern and post-independence generation were exposed to various opportunities provided by the past leaders to improve themselves. "If during my time, everything started from zero where we had nothing to come up with something. "As such, grab the opportunities available so that you can improve yourselves to serve the people and country better," he said. Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Rakan Muda programme which was first launched on Oct 29, 1994 had succeeded in attracting 3.53 million youths.