New age limit of 30 for youth bodies comes into effect on Jan 1, 2026

 

Hannah Yeoh said the new age limit is in line with the National Youth Policy and also follows the definition of youths in other countries as those being under the age of 30. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The 30-year age limit for anyone to hold office in youth organisations in the country will come into effect on Jan 1, 2026. The current youth age limit is 40.

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the government has set Jan 1, 2026 for the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1602) to come into force.

She said the amendments, among others, set the age limit for office bearers to those aged between 18 and 30. It also shortens the period to hold office as a head of a youth society from six to four years.

The setting of the date was the result of a series of discussions between the youth and sports ministry and the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), she added.

“The government has agreed on the effective date. The date on which the law comes into effect was published on the website of the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Nov 20, 2023.

“Following that, it is important for the ministry to inform all stakeholders to be aware of the enforcement of the amendment,” she said at a press conference of the National Youth Consultative Council at the International Youth Centre, Cheras.

Hannah said the new age limit is in line with the National Youth Policy. The definition of youths in other countries is being under the age of 30, she added.

She said in Indonesia youths were designated as those aged 16 to 30. In the Philippines, it is those aged 15 to 30, in Thailand those aged 15 to 24, in South Korea, those aged nine to 24 and in Australia youths are those aged 12 to 24.

In the meantime, Hannah said a joint committee led by her deputy, Adam Adli, will discuss transition programmes and strategies to empower leadership and increase the membership of youth organisations.

She said a framework for a transition plan will be prepared in consultation with relevant stakeholders in the first quarter of 2024 to launch the transition process.

In a separate development, Hannah announced the Cabinet’s decision to approve the granting of administrative assistance of RM5 million each year starting this year to MBM and affiliated bodies, subject to Act 668, to strengthen the governance and operation of youth organisations.

“This will help MBM and affiliated bodies to be more active in implementing youth programmes,” she said. - FMT