Sungai petani: The Rakan Muda youth programme is set to empower a greater number of high-calibre young Malaysians equipped to lead the nation in the future. Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, stressed that the initiative needs to be implemented comprehensively, including in rural areas, schools, and universities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari emphasized the commitment to nurturing more future leaders and young people of quality who are ready to assume the reins of national leadership. The minister highlighted the focus on continuing to empower the Rakan Muda programme, with allocations of RM20 million for 2025 and RM40 million for 2026 to significantly enhance its scope and impact.

He was speaking after presenting scout uniforms to 240 students from 14 schools in the Sungai Petani parliamentary constituency at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Puteri Jaya, near here, today. Muhammed Taufiq highlighted that the Rakan Muda programme encompasses ten lifestyle pillars: Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Litar, Rakan Aktif, Rakan Bumi, Rakan Digital, Rakan Ekspresi, Rakan Muzik, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Niaga, and Rakan Prihatin.

“We will also engage with the Kedah State Education Department and District Education Offices to coordinate the programme at the school level,” he said. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) will design, organise, and carry out a launch to further strengthen and expand the programme’s reach.”

In addition to the focus on Rakan Muda, Dr Mohammed Taufiq presented cheques totaling RM790,000 for the refurbishment of schools in Sungai Petani under the Mesra Rakyat Programme at the event. He noted that RM2 million has been allocated for nearly 40 schools in this parliamentary area, including secondary schools, national and national-type Chinese and Tamil schools, to improve infrastructure and transform schools into digital, comfortable, and interactive learning environments.