2010 YOUTH DAY TO BE GRANDER IN MALAYSIA

PUTRAJAYA, March 23 (Bernama) -- About 250,000 youth from all over the country will be "in a village' here in May in conjunction with the 2010 Youth Day which will have a new and more splendorous format.

Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said during the
celebration this time around, which will be over three days beginning May 14,
all ministers and deputy ministers will come to lend support to youth
activities.

He said the Cabinet decided that the celebration this year will be focused
on the concept of "rise of energetic and capable youth" in various fields.

Ahmad Shabery said this after a cordial meeting with representatives of
Rakan Muda secretariats of institutes of higher education here Monday.


He said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is expected to officiate
the Youth Day at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on May 15.

"Before we would gather the youth in a hall to hear speeches from ministries
and youth associations.

"This time round there will be more events for them to showcase their
abilities," he said.

With the new format, he said all precincts in Putrajaya will organise
various forms of youth activities, including intellectual forums, sports
carnivals and futsal competitions.

"At the government level, the celebration this year is a transformation
process to reflect ways to get closer to youth. It is no longer seen from the
perspective of one ministry alone but rather should involve all ministries," he
said.

On the allocation for the Youth Day, Ahmad Shabery said it only involved
existing infrastructure at all ministries.

-- BERNAMA