Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic

An article in the star today states that a government study claims that youngsters aren't patriotic.

Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic
By IAN MCINTYRE

BACHOK: A recent Government study has revealed that patriotism levels among youth in the country have declined significantly and if left unchecked, could lead to serious consequences for nation building.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the revelation has forced the ministry to re-look its policy on how to engage youth.

The Government has admitted it has lost the support of youths and has been unable to reach out to the technology-savvy generation, he said.

“We need to adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. For starters, we need to re-instil patriotism in youths regardless of their ethnicity or religious backgrounds,'' he said during his inaugural working visit to the east coast state.

Earlier, he held dialogues with youth department officers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the youth skills institute here.

Ismail said the ministry would now be “result-orientated” with a specific goal of restoring confidence among the young in the Government.

This would include the ministry setting up its own blog as well as channelling funds directly to all youth associations, including youth-based NGOs in the country.

“We have decided to reduce bureaucracy. From now on, all funding for youth NGOs and associations will come directly from the ministry.

“We would ensure the grassroots have funds to conduct activities for youths,” he said.

Character-building programmes that instil patriotism are also needed to shore up support among youths, Ismail said.

Have the government ever thought what led to the decline in the patriotism in the youths? Do they blame the youths? I would say blame the government themselves. What have they done to instill patriotism in the youths? A lot of youths don't even know what the rukun negara is.

Frankly, the government isn't helping much but is worsening the situation. Stretching the divides among racial lines. Claiming Malaysia to be an islamic state. Demolishing temples. Raising the keris. Discriminating students in the University. All these are just the right moves to boosting patriotism among youths.

I am beginning to wonder why they claim the youth are not patriotic. Is it because of their poor election results? They claim the youths did not vote for them, so they must be patriotic. If so, then I say F**K YOU!!! I would say the youths are more patriotic then you know. Voting for the opposition party and helping to shape the country for a better future. The youths are more matured then you think.

Please remember, to instill patriotism in Malaysian youths is to instill the pride of being a Malaysian. Satu bangsa Malaysia. One nation one Malaysia. Not segregating among racial divides. It's time the government wake up and start acting as one, if they still intend on being one.