The Second Finance Minister recently asked all government departments to avoid spending lavishly for functions and ceremonies. At the same time the new Youth and Sports Minister was reported to have said that he prefers not to use event organisers for his ministry programs.
Both the statements is indeed refreshing but I hoped it will be sustained for long. I had seen programs which can be easily organised by the Youth Ministry and the youth NGOs but were contracted to event organisers to the tune of millions. And some years ago I attended a HIV and AIDS prevention launching program organised by a government agency which I was told costs closed to a million ringgit.
I am not doubting the intention of the minister concerned but time will tell whether this instructions will becomes a reality. Basing on the tenure of the previous youth minister which by now are well known to be a big spender, either renovating the minister office or in over glorified promotional programs and activities and entertainment expenses, the ministry really need to re-ignite the passion of youth work by putting the trust to the youth themselves to run minor and major programs. If these major programs are contracted to the event organisers, how can the youth gain experience? It will benefit them if given the opportunity to run the show themselves?
The National Youth Day are celebrated on 15 May each year and I hoped for the coming Youth Day celebration next month, youth organisations will be given the task to run it. Good or lousy, at least the youth are given the opportunity to learn and improve themselves.
