MINISTRY READY FOR RESTRUCTURING TO BECOME RELEVANT

PUTRAJAYA, March 29 (Bernama) -- The youth and sports ministry should be ready to restructure itself into a relevant ministry, in line with Malaysia's wish to become a developed nation by 2020, said minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He said among the measures included refining the National Youth Policy, updating the National Sports Act and introduction of new acts.

"We must prepare our ministry to become one that is not only relevant but important. In 2020, Malaysia will become a developed country so the ministry's movements must match those required by a developed country.

"These are among the processes to be carried out, as well as restructuring on the ministry for this purpose," he told reporters after attending the ministry's 2010 Excellent Service Awards Ceremony here Monday.

He said the ministry needed to combine skills and energy to ensure the ministry achieved higher standards of five-star equivalent to a bigger ministry, as compared to four-star rating.

Therefore, he said the ministry needed the latest and complete information on youths as a main reference for other ministries dealing with youths, including the higher education ministry, defence ministry and human resources ministry.

Meanwhile, 335 staff under the youth and sports ministry and its agencies received excellent service awards.