PETALING JAYA, Oct 3 — The Selangor government is expanding its youth development agenda beyond sports and recreation by giving greater focus to intellectual activities like debate, said state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
“We want to engage all segments of young people in Selangor. That is why, under the youth portfolio that I lead, I emphasise that we also need to engage groups of young people involved in programmes that are dialogue-based, intellectual, and focused on debate,” he told reporters after the Raja Muda Selangor Debating Championship (RMSDC), held at Sunway Resort Hotel here today.
He said debate is widely conducted in schools, but many young people lack platforms to showcase their talents.
Najwan added that the programme was not solely about winning but about giving young people opportunities to express themselves while developing rational, respectful and fact-based debating skills, saying: “This is not about winning; this is about giving them the opportunity to speak.”
He also said Selangor plans to hold the championship again next year thanks to encouraging response for this edition, with some improvements and more participants. The competition was conducted in English, but Bahasa Malaysia could be an additional medium or category in future editions, he added.
Najwan said intellectual activities for youth need greater support as young people often organise sports activities independently, and that the state wants to allow youth interested in knowledge-based programmes the space to grow.
Young people also need exposure to issues beyond domestic affairs, including geopolitics and the global economy, to prepare them for an increasingly competitive world, he added.
RMSDC is a two-day debate competition involving 42 teams comprising 170 young debaters from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, held to give young people a platform to challenge ideas, exchange different perspectives, build confidence and develop their communication and leadership skills.
Meanwhile, when asked about the Selangor Road and Highway Strategic Plan 2026-2035 (JALUR Selangor), Najwan said upgrading the state’s road network will improve access to areas that generate economic activity.
“Economy is generated through various sectors, and one important element in moving our economy is access; access to important locations,” he said, adding that better access would allow economic areas to be used more effectively.
Najwan said priority areas under JALUR Selangor will be determined by state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim’s team.
