Kuala lumpur: Youth leaders who surpass the age of 30 after the youth age limit goes into effect on January 1, 2026, may retain their roles until the next general meeting election of their respective organizations, stated Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. However, she emphasized that these leaders will be ineligible for renomination as per Section 6 of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1602).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, from January 1, 2026, aligning with the amendment to Act 668 through Act A1602, ordinary members not holding office in youth organizations and who are 30 or older will lose eligibility as ordinary members. They will forfeit voting rights and the ability to be elected at annual general meetings. Despite these restrictions, such individuals can still participate as advisors, mentors, facilitators, mobilizers, youth workers, or alumni, depending on the organization’s constitution. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has collaborated with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to assist youth organizations and their members in transitioning to other associations registered under ROS upon reaching the age of 30.
Hannah was addressing a supplementary question from Dr. Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) regarding the fate of youth leaders exceeding the age limit post-enforcement on January 1, 2026. She also highlighted KBS’s initiatives to facilitate the transition from a youth age limit of 40 to 30 years, including establishing a Transition Working Committee led by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim. Other initiatives include Youth Transition Dialogues, Governance Workshops, Organisational Management Programmes (PPO), the Kembara Jumpa Orang Muda Programme (Kembara JOM), and the certification of youth work professionalism.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia reports that there are 9.5 million youths aged 15 to 30, representing 27.9 percent of the national population. This year, the number of office bearers in youth organizations totals 99,271, with 53.99 percent (or 53,606 individuals) under 30. The enforcement of the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 is poised to impact the administration and leadership of 8,272 youth organizations registered with the Registrar of Youth Societies (ROY).
Dr. Yii inquired about the ministry’s measures for a smooth transition to the enforcement of Act A1602 on January 1, 2026, and the number of youth organizations that have amended their constitutions in preparation.