The sudden surge of delinquency among Malaysian youths, who are a menace to society when they get involved in drugs and crime, has become a worrying trend, said the prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor.
She is concerned that this segment of the population may be left out of mainstream development and are manifesting delinquent behaviour.
Rosmah said they might easily be influenced to indulge in risky activities such as illegal, rowdy and dangerous motorcycle racing where the media and public had labelled these youths as Mat Rempit.
“Youths are the future of any nation. Unless they are well-educated and equipped with the necessary skills, attitude and aptitude in life, they will never reach their highest altitude.”
She said this after receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Innovation in Human Capacity Development from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, the first such honour, here, today.
The honorary doctorate was presented to her by the university’s Royal Chancellor, Sultanah Pahang Sultanah Kalsom, and witnessed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
The honour was for Rosmah’s distinguished leadership in transformational human capital development, reflected by her unwavering passion and commitment to the cause.
Later, a taped, special tribute song titled “Wanita Sanjungan Negara” and dedicated to Rosmah, was played accompanied by a video clip, at the ceremony.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin and university president, Dr Lim Kok Wing.
Rosmah in the speech said together with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)and the police, they had organised two-month camps aimed at creating self-awareness, building confidence and empowering youths with skills to make better choices in their lives, including racing responsibly.
“Internships and job placements are also arranged for them. The outcome of the two camps for 60 youths has been positive, with them reporting gainful employment and responsible behaviour,” she said.
On the honour conferred on her, Rosmah said it would serve as an encouragement for her to continue pursuing her work, the Permata programme.
“After overcoming the initial challenges and teething problems and with the government’s full support, it is most heartening for me and those who work with me to see this programme currently being rolled out nationally to more than 600 centres involving more than 20,000 children within the span of four years.
“And just after a year in operation, a study by Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) revealed that Permata children are one to two years ahead of theirpeers in cognitive, social and emotional development,” she said.
– Bernama
CJMY
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