KUALA LUMPUR: The government is embarking on an inter-ministerial movement to address health problems and social ills among youths.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said for a start, the Health Ministry and Home Ministry would be submitting the relevant data to the high-level committee on youth development before further actions could be discussed.

"We want to find out health issues concerning the youth. For instance, if there are many who are diabetic, what kind of programmes we could implement to address this.

"We are looking at coordinating efforts across the ministries and prevent overlapping (of programmes), instead of each of us working in silo," she told reporters after attending the high-level committee on youth development at the Parliament building today.

In illustrating effective cross-ministry involvements, Yeoh cited youth bankrupts she had previously highlighted, which had received prompt response from Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said in amending the respective law.

Yeoh said the committee, which last met in 2018, involved 29 ministries, aimed at improving coordination among them.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said various issues related to youth were discussed, including some 2.64 million gig workers.

"Through the Human Resources Ministry, we are looking at seeking better terms for them, including via upskilling and reskilling under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

"The committee is not only seeking improving awareness among youth, but also engaging them, including in the country's affairs and democracy," he told reporters.

Other matters discussed in the meeting were transit homes for youth and unemployment.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/891045/inter-ministerial-efforts-tackle-health-social-ills-among-youths