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Kota Kinabalu: The Youth Parliament programme will be one of the keys to producing grassroots youth leaders capable of shaping the country’s future, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul.

“These young parliamentarians will debate youth-related issues and propose resolutions, which will then be forwarded to Parliament-selected committees for further deliberation.

“This ensures that youths will have a voice in the national policy processes,” he said during his visit to the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) in Kg Kopimpinan, Putatan, on Saturday. 

The programme is one of the three initiatives led by Parliament to nurture future leaders, including the ongoing “Sekolah Parlimen” Programme and the revived National Service Training Programme (PLKN).

“Sekolah Parlimen” has seen participation from over 600 schools since the programme began in July, where head boys and head girls participate in simulated parliamentary sessions and other activities twice a week in order to deepen their understanding of the institution. 

PLKN operates two camps for men and women. Over a 45-day period, youths aged 18 to 30 are trained in leadership and basic military skills.

Johari said the Youth Parliament is part of a broader strategy to produce leaders in multiple sectors, including education, industrial, finance and the arts, effectively positioning the youth as future nation-builders. 

He said the programme would consist of youth-based political parties formed within universities. The students take the lead in the formation of these parties, as well as producing manifestos and eventually campaigning to recruit members. 

“Membership of the Youth Parliament has been increased from 100 to 222 to mirror the actual Malaysian Parliament,” he said. 

“We cannot be complacent. Leaders come and go. It is up to the next generation to ensure our mission carries forward.”  

As of September, 131 Nadi centres are operating throughout the State. Through programmes such as the Youth Parliament, Johari is confident Nadi can become a leadership reference centre that nurtures courageous and capable youths.