KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry is reviewing the Rakan Muda initiative as it formulates plans to further expand it, the Dewan Negara heard today.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli said a study on the programme, carried out by the Youth and Sports Department and Institute for Youth Research (IYRES) started in September.
"It would take eight months to complete and is expected to be concluded in middle of 2024.
"The ministry continuously gathers feedback on Rakan Muda and has so far received positive feedback from participants," he said in reply to a question from Senator Datuk John Ambrose.
Adam said up to Dec 1, 2023, a total 4,119 activities had been carried out under the programme, with participation of 1,108,463 people.
He said a total RM20 million would be allocated for Rakan Muda programme next year.
Rakan Muda was first launched in October, 1994, with its main mission being to produce youths with high potentials to support the country's development goals.
A revamped Rakan Muda initiative, which was launched in June this year, has received an encouraging response, with more than 80,000 youths aged 15 to 30 participating, going beyond participation of school students.
