KOTA KINABALU: Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said his ministry has been allocated RM88.01 million for operating expenditure and RM10.05 million for development in 2026 during his winding-up speech in the State Budget debate at the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
He said the funds will support youth education and skills training, leadership and economic empowerment programmes, social participation initiatives, and physical and mental wellbeing, alongside continued investment in high-performance sports, para-sports, mass sports, e-sports, sports tourism, creative arts, the gig economy and home-based products.
Citing Malaysian Youth Development Research Institute data, Nizam noted that Sabah’s youth population aged 15 to 40 is estimated at about two million, or nearly 60 per cent of the state’s 3.83 million people, underscoring youth development as a cornerstone of Sabah’s long-term social and economic progress.
He said the ministry will implement programme-matching initiatives in 2026 in line with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah manifesto to ensure inclusive access to opportunities, while youth leadership platforms such as the Sabah Youth Leadership Incubator and its related programmes are expected to deliver measurable outcomes.
On sports and the creative economy, Nizam highlighted Sabah FC’s return to the FA Cup final after 27 years and national long jumper Andre Anuar’s Sea Games gold, while saying the ministry will strengthen preparations for Sukma 2026 and upskill creative industry players to improve competitiveness and income generation.
