Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak launched the nationwide “My Beautiful Malaysia” programme on Sunday, Feb 3. The objective was to instil the spirit of volunteerism among youths in Malaysia while taking another step towards social transformation in the country. The programme involved over a million young people; students, national service trainees, non-profit organisations, youth groups and employees in the public and private and sectors.
The Perak state-level programme, which was launched by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri DiRaja Zambry Abd Kadir, saw thousands of youths converging at the Ipoh Padang as early as 7am. After a mass exercise session led by the MB, participants went about cleaning and beautifying areas around the field. Armed with brooms, garbage bags and paint brushes they spent over two hours at their tasks.The total number of participants in Perak alone was 120,000, across districts, councils and municipalities.
This programme was organised as a way as to engage with the youths. Social transformation is a lengthy process. The government is spending millions to build up the spirit of volunteerism and create a sense of unity among the younger generation. Whether Malaysia achieves developed status by 2020 depends very much on them. A revamped value system will keep Malaysia on its track. As such, 2013 has been designated as the Year of Volunteerism.
Present at the launch was Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal, Minister of Rural and Regional Development. He was in the thick of the action.
Emily
