KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) today announced an allocation of RM7,08,000 million for the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) this year to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of governance of youth organisations in the country.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, said the allocation, made under the Youth and Sports Prihatin Initiative, would benefit MBM and its 145 affiliates, comprising 19 national-level youth organisations, 14 state youth councils, 106 district youth councils and six uniformed bodies.

"The Youth and Sports Ministry understands the difficulties facing youth organisations, especially MBM as the parent body of the youth organisations at the national level, as provided in the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2007 (Act 668).

"KBS is always committed in strengthening the role of MBM and continues to provide administrative fund assistance fund to MBM as was done last year," he said in a statement today.

He said this would enable the youth organisations to move smoothly as well as be managed more efficiently and effectively.

Meanwhile, Reezal Merican congratulated MBM in conjunction with its 73rd anniversary today and expressed his appreciation for the efforts, initiatives and programmes implemented by MBM since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.

"The more than seven decades journey of the youth movement in the country has contributed greatly to the country's development, especially in terms of human capital development and leadership talent at various levels," he added.

-- BERNAMA