Kuala lumpur: A total of 935 out of 8,189 youth organisations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Youth Organisations (ROY) have amended their constitutions as of August 25, in alignment with changes to the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2007 (Act 668). Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that all youth organisations registered under ROY must ensure their constitutions comply with the amendment, which will take effect on January 1 next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the amendment to Act 668 lowers the youth age limit from 40 years to under 30, a decision agreed upon at the Youth Development Cabinet Committee Meeting Number 1 of 2023. This was announced during the National Youth Consultative Council Media Conference the same year. The amendment affects only youth organisations registered with ROY, and does not apply to those registered with the Malaysian Registrar of Societies (ROS). Minister Yeoh addressed this during an oral answer session at the Dewan Negara, in response to a query from Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman about the Youth Leadership Transition Plan's progress.
Minister Yeoh noted that the amendment aligns with international standards, which set a youth age limit from 15 to under 30. Although passed in 2019, the implementation was postponed until 2026 to allow for a transition period. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), along with related agencies, has been conducting advocacy, consultation, and capacity-building programmes to support youth organisations in adapting to the new age limit.
Senator Abdul Halim suggested raising the age limit back to 35 or 40 years, to which Minister Yeoh responded that respecting the decision made by Parliament is essential. She emphasized that laws should not be altered arbitrarily due to external pressure, highlighting that if 18-year-olds can vote and run for election, individuals aged 28 or 30 are mature enough to lead.
Minister Yeoh further explained that the change is necessary to adapt the country's youth policy to current realities, particularly the social networking and engagement methods of today's youth, which predominantly occur online. She stated that clinging to outdated approaches without providing space for actual youth could render the country's youth policy ineffective.