Youth organisations need rebranding - DPM

Youth organisations need rebranding on their spirit, approach and programme content to continue remaining relevant with the flavours of the younger generation now, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said youth organisations should think of fresh ideas suitable to the aspirations of Generation Y as well as millennials and not to hold self-serving programmes.

"If we have group trips to Phuket, Bali, these are old stories. Do not corrupt youths with all these perks.

"Youths today want support in terms of programme activity and content relevant to their tastes...do not organise any more unproductive programmes," he said when opening the 38th Malaysia 4B Youth Movement''s annual general meeting here today.

In this regard, Ahmad Zahid urged the 4B Youth Movement to be the backbone of the government in attracting the younger generation to achieve the development agenda for youths especially the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) vision

He said the movement should not just leave the task of shaping the future of the country's youth to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

"4B Youth Movement members should go down to the ground to garner support of the youths so that the organisation regains their acceptance," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also reminded the new leadership of the movement to foster cooperation with the old leadership to ensure the organisation remained strong and united.

"The old leaders should not create troubles for others, be aware that their time has passed, be dignified past leaders so as to continue gaining the respect of others," he said.

In the 4B Youth Movement annual general assembly today, its president Muammar Ghadafi Jamal Jamaluddin did not defend his post after holding the position for two terms since 2009.

The organisation''s constitution has set a maximum of two terms for the president post

The movement's deputy president Mohd Nizam Omar and vice-president 1 Ahmad Daniar Ismail are in a straight fight for the president post.

The results of the movement''s election will be known later tonight. --Bernama