Putrajaya: The Federal Territories Youth Assembly (SBWP) for the 2025 term has approved a motion to establish the Federal Territories Students' Association at institutions of higher learning (IPT), as an umbrella body registered with the Registrar of Societies. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced her approval for the proposal, which aims to create a coalition to support the welfare of students from the Federal Territories.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zaliha stated that the initiative will commence with engagements and dialogues with Federal Territories students at public and private university campuses starting next year. The Federal Territories Department (JWP) has been tasked with studying the best model for this association, considering collaboration with entities such as the Federal Territories Foundation and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, or working closely with the Higher Education Ministry and university administrations. The association aims to be recognized on major campuses, equipped with governance structures, a membership database, and access to assistance schemes and leadership training.
Dr Zaliha, while addressing the Second Meeting of the SBWP 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, also discussed Budget 2026 and expressed full solidarity with Palestine. She highlighted that the SBWP unanimously supported Budget 2026, particularly focusing on education, employment, and entrepreneurship for urban youth. Dr Zaliha emphasized the importance of social mobility opportunities like scholarships, education, TVET, skills programs, and entrepreneurship initiatives for Federal Territories youth.
She elaborated that Budget 2026 should be seen as a social mobility plan for the youth, and specific action plans for the Federal Territories should be drafted to ensure its benefits reach the youth in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan. JWP is committed to working with various agencies, local authorities, and youth leaders to translate the budget initiatives into tangible opportunities in their daily lives.
The Youth Assembly also expressed solidarity with Palestine, condemning human rights violations and urging the government to intensify international efforts and strengthen narratives through media and educational diplomacy. Additionally, the Assembly approved environmental initiatives, including the 'Federal Territories Green Tapau' campaign for eco-friendly food container use and a proposal to convert street lights in Labuan to solar systems.
Dr Zaliha mentioned ongoing renewable energy projects in Sabah and Labuan, with solar energy capacity connected or planned for the Sabah-Labuan grid reaching approximately 15 megawatts (MW) through solar farm projects. The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA) and industry partners are exploring new energy projects to enhance electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, including potential renewable initiatives like wind turbines in the region.