National Youth Day 2026 draws families and youth with games, music and cultural activities

“BUKIT JALIL, May 24 — National Youth Day 2026, held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil from May 22 to May 24, has been described by visitors as an inclusive and interactive platform that brings together families and young people through games, music and shared spaces for connection and engagement. The three-day festival served as the main venue for Federal Territory-level celebrations, focusing on youth development, creativity and entrepreneurship. Revathi A. Suntharamurthy, 23, from the Seputeh Hindu Youth Organisation, said the programme stood out for its interactive format and strong focus on youth empowerment. Revathi A. Suntharamurthy said the programme’s interactive approach and emphasis on youth empowerment allowed young people from diverse backgrounds to come together and build connections through shared experiences. — Picture by Raymond Manuel She said it created space for young people from different backgrounds to come together and develop through shared experiences. “I think this programme is very interactive because it brings together all young people and a platform that gives youth the opportunity to develop their creativity. “This is a very beneficial programme and something that should be organised every year,” she told Malay Mail. She added that she attended the event representing her organisation, where her group engaged with other youth clubs and associations. She then described her personal development journey through community involvement, saying the experience had been overwhelmingly positive. She also praised the range of activities available alongside cultural activities such as ‘kolam’ drawing, a traditional Indian decorative art form created using coloured rice flour or powder on the ground at entrances during festivals and celebrations, and batik painting, a Malaysian textile art that uses wax‑resist dyeing to create patterned fabric. “Because Malaysia is a multiracial country, many Indian families do ‘kolam’ every year, but not everyone gets the chance to try it. “So this is a very good opportunity for them to experience it,” she added. Marsya Hana, who is attending the event with her daughter, said she welcomed the community atmosphere and described the event as a positive space that gives young people valuable exposure to a wide range of activities in a shared public setting. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Another visitor, Marsya Hana, 41, an executive officer attending the event with her daughter, said she welcomed the community atmosphere, describing it as a positive space for families and young people. She said such initiatives provided valuable exposure for young people to experience a variety of activities in a shared public environment. She also said that she regularly attends similar community initiatives, often in support of her children’s participation in school and extracurricular programmes. “It is good because events like this give opportunities for young people to come and see what is happening. It really creates a space where people can interact freely, learn from each other and experience things they may not normally get in their daily lives. “You can see different cultures, different groups and different ideas all in one place, and that is something very valuable for young people and even families,” she added. Meanwhile, Mohd Nor Zakaria, a TikTok content creator known as Mad Nor said he was honoured to be recognised as a Creative Youth Icon, describing the acknowledgement as both meaningful and humbling. A TikTok content creator known as Md Nor said National Youth Day should be held annually as it helps channel young people’s energy into positive activities and offers a lively space with a wide range of creative, cultural and interactive experiences. — Picture by Raymond Manuel He said the recognition carried responsibility, particularly in ensuring that digital platforms are used to promote positive messages rather than negativity. He added that National Youth Day should be held annually, saying it plays an important role in channelling young people’s energy into positive and productive activities while giving them a structured space to explore their interests. He added that what made the event stand out was not only the scale of participation but also the variety of experiences available under one roof, from creative showcases and cultural performances to interactive workshops, entrepreneurship exposure and community-led activities. He said the event felt dynamic and lively, with constant movement between different zones where visitors could explore, learn and take part in hands-on experiences rather than just observe. “I think this programme is very good and should be organised every year because it uplifts young people. We know youth have a lot of energy and sometimes they want to try many things, so instead of doing something negative, it is better to encourage them to join positive youth activities like this,” he said.

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Malay Mail Education. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia.