MALAYSIAN PAPER

Background: The youth of Malaysia have a critical role to play in the country’s efforts to achieve the status of a fully developed country by the year 2020. Malaysia’s futuristic development plan, known as Vision 2020, aims to develop all aspects of the country including national unity, social cohesion, economy, social justice, political stability, system of government, quality of life, social and spiritual values and national pride and confidence. The Malaysian national government has demonstrated its commitment to youth through an increase in funds and support for youth development.

Definition of Youth In Malaysia: The National Youth Development Policy of Malaysia defines youth as people aged between 15 and 40 years which comprise 10.1 million or 45 percent of the total 25 million Malaysian population. It stipulates further that the main focus of youth development programmes and activities in the country should be young people aged 18 to 25 years (MOYS 1997).