Kota Kinabalu: Youth development under the Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Ministry (KBSK) will focus on producing more holistic, skilled and responsible young people in line with Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0.
Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said youth must be viewed as contributors to Sabah’s progress rather than merely recipients of government assistance.
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“Youth development should go beyond programmes and activities to include character building, discipline and economic resilience,” he said during the Ministerial Address and Anti-Corruption Pledge ceremony here on Tuesday.
Nizam said young people must be equipped with relevant skills to enable them to create value and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
“Priority will be given to youth who are innovative, willing to take risks and capable of generating opportunities through entrepreneurship, the creative economy, digital technology and sports,” he said.
He added that the MySpace positioning reflects the ministry’s expanded role following the inclusion of the creative economy.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Sabah Youth Council president Abqaree Fawwaz Abekan said youth organisations welcomed the clearer direction outlined under SMJ 2.0.
“The Rakan Sabah Maju Jaya programme will be introduced as a platform to bring youth from various segments together through volunteer-based initiatives,” he said.
Abqaree said the programme would promote volunteerism in areas such as sports, environmental activities and community engagement.
He emphasised that Rakan SMJ is the outcome of earlier initiatives, including Fellow SMJ and Tamu Suara 360, which identified youth aspirations and readiness to contribute.
Abqaree noted that the programme will be launched during the Youth Day celebrations in May.
He reaffirmed that implementation is being refined with the ministry to ensure meaningful and measurable impact rather than symbolic participation.
Meanwhile, officers and staff of the Youth, Sports and Creative Economy Ministry (KBSK) reaffirmed their commitment to integrity and accountability during the Ministerial Address and Anti-Corruption Pledge ceremony here on Tuesday.
Nizam said the pledge was not a ceremonial exercise but a reminder of the responsibility entrusted to public servants by the people.
“There will be zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of power or negligence in the execution of duties within the ministry,” he said.
He added that public servants are not merely implementers of policy but custodians of integrity and the face of the government to the rakyat.
Nizam said the ceremony reflects the ministry’s commitment to strengthening ethical standards, professionalism and accountability at all levels.
He noted that the ministry has been repositioned under the MySpace identity to reflect higher expectations placed on youth, sports and the creative economy.
“MySpace is not merely a rebranding exercise but a demand for higher work standards, strategic thinking and uncompromising commitment to the welfare of the people,” he said.
Nizam said KBSK can no longer be viewed as a peripheral ministry but must be recognised as a strategic driver of Sabah’s future social and economic development under SMJ 2.0.
“Youth, sports and the creative economy are core pillars of long-term stability, and failure to manage them effectively will create future social challenges for the state,” he said.
KBSK Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansur Asun said programmes implemented by the ministry must be supported by clear planning, measurable indicators and proper documentation.
He said results must be demonstrated through data, analysis and outcomes rather than activities alone.
Mansur emphasised that weaknesses in monitoring, follow-up actions and record-keeping need to be addressed to strengthen governance and public confidence.
“Integrity and accountability are shared responsibilities and should not be confined to senior management,” he said.
Those present included Assistant Minister Datuk Seri Dr Anil Sandhu, Sabah Sports Board chairman Syed Ahmad Syed Abbas, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy director (Prevention) Alexander S. Kunghi.
