SOME 1,700 participants gathered this morning for the state-level Jalan Amal Perpaduan Belia event at Jalan Green Hall, a vibrant community initiative aimed at promoting national unity and empowering youth through education and skills development.
The event featured a 2km walk in the vicinity of George Town, starting and ending in front of SEGi College Penang.
Officiating the event was Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, who underscored the importance of unity in diversity, especially in a multicultural society like Malaysia.
“We all know that unity and national harmony are vital. Diversity is our strength, and we can see for ourselves that Malaysia is a pluralistic society.
“Regardless of race and religion, we can speak multiple languages and this is one of our unique strengths,” he said in his speech.
Sim emphasised that education is everything, adding that young people today need more than just academic excellence.
“They need resilience, empathy, and communication skills to thrive in an evolving world,” he said, while also expressing appreciation of Penang Seed Fund to assist those in need.
He further lauded the initiative for supporting B40 communities by equipping youth with essential power skills needed to meet today’s challenges.
In recognition of its contributions, Penang Seed Fund received a RM50,000 allocation during today’s event, along with an additional RM20,000 from Sim as a token of appreciation and encouragement.
“Although no funding was requested, we Penangites must continue to support organisations that protect and uplift our communities,” Sim added.
After the walk, the minister visited nearby booths and mingled around with participants and volunteers.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian