Hajiji performing the gimmick to officiate the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival 2026 at Padang Istiadat Tuaran today.
TUARAN: Youth are not merely leaders of the future, but also drivers of the economy and key agents of change needed today to realise the aspirations of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the State Government would continue its commitment to empowering youth through various forms of assistance, funding and skills training to ensure young people not only seek employment but are also able to create job opportunities for others.
He said strategic emphasis was also being placed on equipping young people with advanced skills, including through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that meets the needs of future industries.
“The State Government has placed the youth development agenda among its priorities because young people are not merely leaders of the future, but also the drivers of the economy and key agents of change that we need today to realise the aspirations of the SMJ development plan,” he said when officiating the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival 2026 at Padang Istiadat Pekan Tuaran today.
Hajiji said the State Government had allocated RM98.06 million to the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy (KBSK) for 2026, covering human capital development, grants for youth associations, the sports sector and young entrepreneurs through the Sabah Youth Entrepreneurship Success Scheme (SYABAS).
“In addition, the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative also provides allocations for young people who have recently married, while the Chief Minister’s Young Thinkers programme provides a platform for Sabah’s youth to participate directly in the formulation of policies and development strategies for the State.
“The Sabah Youth Council also serves as a platform for youth unity and representation, allowing young people to discuss issues and their future direction through a new implementation format under the supervision of the relevant ministry,” he said.
He said youth were an important asset in determining the State’s direction and future, adding that Sabah had talented, creative and skilled young people with strong enthusiasm.
He said the State Government’s policies and initiatives must be translated into programmes that genuinely address the needs of young people.
On the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival, Hajiji said the event demonstrated that young people were not merely a group that would inherit leadership of society and the State, but also strategic partners of the Government in driving economic, social and community development today.
He said the carnival provided a space for young people to gather, exchange ideas, showcase their talents, expand their businesses and build networks of cooperation.
He said tamu markets were not merely places for buying and selling, but also part of Sabah’s cultural heritage, connecting traders, small-scale entrepreneurs, farmers, artists and local communities.
“When the concept of the tamu is combined with the enthusiasm and creativity of young people, we can create a more dynamic space for entrepreneurship, cultural activities, sports, healthy entertainment and knowledge sharing,” he said.
Hajiji hoped the carnival would continue to provide opportunities for young people to promote local products, showcase their artistic and cultural talents, participate in competitions that build self-confidence and strengthen ties between communities.
He said such activities should form part of ongoing efforts to produce young people who were independent, disciplined, competitive and equipped with a strong sense of identity.
He added that these efforts were also expected to produce new entrepreneurs, business partnerships, employment opportunities, community networks and ideas that could be developed in the future.
Hajiji said the State Government remained committed to strengthening the State’s development according to its priorities, available resources and its own approach, while expressing hope that Tuaran’s youth would serve as an example to young people in other districts in terms of creativity, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and community unity.
He said the success of youth development also depended on the commitment of young people themselves, family support, community involvement and cooperation from all parties.
He hoped the Tuaran Youth Tamu Carnival 2026 would achieve its objectives, benefit the community and serve as a catalyst for more youth development initiatives in Tuaran and throughout Sabah.
