22/08/2026

COMMUNITY

SATURDAY | AUG 22, 2026

COMMUNITY 7

Perkeso introduces MYFutureJobs Ambassadors o Initiative to help foster early, comprehensive career awareness among higher education students

KOTA KINABALU: The Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) has rolled out two major initiatives aimed at breathing new life into the downtown area, combining modern aesthetic upgrades with vibrant night-time economic activities. Its president Datuk Walter Kenson announced that MPS has approved a comprehensive policy encouraging premises across the district to replace conventional signboards with LED, lightbox, neon or 3D billboards. The initiative, which takes immediate effect with no expiry date, waives all previous fees for installing or converting to illuminated signage. To encourage participation, the council has also removed size restrictions on signboards – including permitting entire building walls to be used for LED displays – subject to technical approval and the submission of engineering drawings for safety verification. “The joint initiative with the business community aims to revive Sandakan’s past image as ‘Little Hong Kong’,“ said Kenson after chairing a licensing committee meeting at MPS last Monday. The council is targeting at least two premises in every building block to install illuminated signboards, with the initiative extending beyond commercial premises to private offices, government agencies, hotels and the industrial and tourism sectors across the district up to Sepilok. In a complementary move to boost night time vibrancy, Kenson also launched the Car Boot Sale Night Market programme at Lorong Harbour Square, next to The Elopura Hotel, on Aug 15. The weekly event, organised by the Sandakan Documentary and Film Association, will run every Saturday from 4pm to midnight starting Sept 5 with 20 lots available for traders. “This programme provides local traders and youths with opportunities to explore a more relaxed, creative and flexible business concept. It also allows youths to generate additional income by using their existing vehicles to sell goods and products.” Kenson described the Car Boot Sale as a “new experiment” aimed at restoring the vibrancy of the city centre not only during festive seasons but throughout the year. He expressed hope that the initiative would attract more visitors, including tourists from outside the district. Also present at the launch were association chairman Datuk Md Afendi Hamdan, Kenson’s wife Datin Ivy Wong, Sandakan Immigration Department chief Tajul Aripin Mohammed Mokhtar, and a representative from Ormond Hotel. LED signs, night market planned to revitalise Sandakan Kenson said MPS aims to revive the town’s image as ‘Little Hong Kong’. █ BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

█ BY AZLAN RAMLI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUCHING: Sarawak is expanding community based HIV services beyond Kuching to Miri and Bintulu as part of broader efforts to improve access to healthcare and support across the state. The state, under the leadership of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, has prioritised equitable access to healthcare, stronger social resilience and improved quality of life under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, alongside economic transformation. At the centre of this effort is Teratak Kasih Tok Nan (TKTN), a community-based initiative providing holistic support to people living with HIV, their families and other vulnerable communities. It offers temporary accommodation, counselling, treatment support, psychosocial services, welfare assistance and community outreach. It addresses not only healthcare needs, but also the social and economic challenges that can limit access to and continuity of treatment. Last year, the Sarawak government announced a three-year allocation of RM2.25 million to strengthen TKTN and support its expansion. “Sarawak’s development agenda has always centred on improving the quality of life of our T HE Human Resources Ministry, through the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), recently introduced MYFutureJobs Ambassadors from among higher education institution students. This latest initiative aims to raise awareness on career opportunities and the MYFutureJobs platform within campus communities. In a statement, Perkeso highlighted the crucial role the ambassadors play in effectively disseminating information to their peers about job opportunities, career development and MYFutureJobs services. “University students represent a strategic group in shaping the future workforce. Their involvement as MYFutureJobs Ambassadors helps foster early and comprehensive career awareness among the student body.” Additionally, MYFutureJobs introduced Oyen MYFutureJobs as its official mascot to strengthen youth engagement – particularly among education institution students – and to make the platform more relatable and accessible to the public. Perkeso stated that the introduction of the mascot is a creative approach to capturing the young generation’s interest in the services and opportunities offered by MYFutureJobs. “This approach aims to bring MYFutureJobs closer to the youth, thereby encouraging them to explore job opportunities and build career profiles that are systematic and aligned with industry demands.” The official launch of the MYFutureJobs Ambassadors and mascot was officiated by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri

Ramanan (3rd right) at the launch during the carnival at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.

demonstrations, job seeker registration, profile reviews and interactive job matching, making it easier for young people to access MYFutureJobs services. “These initiatives strengthen collaboration among the ministry, Perkeso, higher education institutions and the industry to ensure talent development aligns with labour market needs – including through industrial training opportunities, upskilling and quality job matching. “The organisation of the career carnival reflects the government’s commitment to building a dynamic, inclusive and resilient labour market by ensuring that the public not only gains access to employment but also receives career development support,” Perkeso stated. The public – particularly youths, graduates and job seekers – is encouraged to utilise MYFutureJobs as a national platform to explore job opportunities, build career profiles and access career development support. Visit www.myfuturejobs.gov.my for more information.

Ramanan the MYFutureJobs LINDUNG Kerjaya Carnival held at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka in Ayer Keroh, Malacca. The day-long carnival provided access to job opportunities, skills development and career guidance. It also featured a career carnival, Youth Aspiration Talk with the Minister, CEO Talk, MYFutureJobs Rovers and e-sports activities. Through the carnival, participants had the opportunity to secure direct job matching, attend open interviews, receive resume reviews and career advisory services, and complete MYFutureJobs registration and profiling – all designed to help them identify opportunities that align with their skills, qualifications and career aspirations. Meanwhile, the Youth Aspiration Talk: Elevating Career Futures event provided a platform for youths and graduates to engage directly with the ministry on topics such as employability, future skills, quality employment and the challenges of the working world. MYFutureJobs Rovers provided platform Ramakrishnan during

Sarawak expands community-based HIV care

Johari (2nd right) said progress must be inclusive, with no one left behind.

networks and corporate resources to extend care beyond clinical settings and closer to communities. Malaysian AIDS Foundation Borneo patron Datuk Jamilah Anu stressed that every person deserves dignity, compassion and respect. “Teratak Kasih Tok Nan was established not only to provide care, but also to restore hope, reduce stigma and remind people living with HIV that they are not alone,“ she said.

people. While we continue to strengthen our economy and embrace innovation, we must also ensure that progress is inclusive and no one is left behind,” Johari said. The state’s HIV response has also been strengthened through partnerships with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Health Ministry, Sunway Group and Yayasan Petronas. The collaborations bring government support, healthcare expertise, community