By Marissa Nazeera
PUTRAJAYA, 13 October 2021: Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri told his cabinet ministers to not leave the Perdana Fellowship participants independently with their own devices, instead, as mentors, they should guide them.
“There were cases where some ministers left the fellows on their own without getting them involved in the office administration nor bringing them along to the constituencies or Parliament.”
This had caused the rise of complaints by the Perdana Fellowship Programme participants. The Perdana Fellowship Programme must be filled with real life exposure and experience to aid the participants.
“If this (real life exposure, education and knowledge) are not taught, then it will fail the objective of the programme.”
Since the Perdana Fellowship Programme was implemented in 2013 by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the country had gathered more than 600 youths as participants. This is the government’s initiative through the Ministry to train potential youths to be directly involved in the development of government policy.
The current Minister of Youth and Sports, Dato’ Sri Ahmad Faizal Azumu ensures the programme will create a platform for potential youth to realise their ability and talent. The participants will also be assigned to ministers’ offices and to also work at the ministry divisions on rotation basis.
“This is to expose participants to every ministry and their policies,” Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal said. Interestingly too, this years’ placement will only be held for three months unlike in previous years where it was held for six months.
Also, a number of the Perdana Fellowship participants had ventured into politics and currently holding positions as ministers. The participants are also equally successful in other fields of work as well. It is aligned with the objective to expand their skills to prosper in both the private and public sectors.
Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri also wished to bring the Perdana Fellowship Programme to the Parliament for better legal literacy and exposure. He also congratulated the 64 youths who have been selected for Perdana Fellowship Programme 2021.
“Congratulations to those who were selected. Many have applied, however a few were selected.” he added. ***
Source: Astro Awani and New Straits Times