JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, August 6, 2025 – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh expressed gratitude to His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Regent of Johor, for granting an audience to discuss the implementation of the youth age limit enforcement as outlined in the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2007 (Amendment) 2019 [Act A1602], effective 1 January 2026.
The amendment aligns with the Malaysian Youth Policy launched in 2015, redefining youth as individuals aged 15 to below 30 years. Johor has emerged as a frontrunner in adopting this change, recording the second-highest number of youth organisation constitution amendments in Malaysia. The state also boasts a significant number of youth organisation members and office bearers under 30, reflecting the maturity and readiness of Johor’s youth ecosystem.
As of 4 August 2025, Johor’s youth organisation statistics are as follows:
– Registered Youth Organisations:
– Branch-based: 445
– Independent: 521
– Constitutional Amendments (Second-Highest in Malaysia) :
– Branch-based: 58
– Independent: 66
– Youth Organisation Membership :
– Below 30 years: 23,892
– 30 years and above: 21,187
– Youth Organisation Office Bearers :
– Below 30 years: 6,324
– 30 years and above: 5,387
Starting 1 January 2026, youth organisations under the Johor Registrar of Youth Organisations (ROY) will transition to comply with the new age limit, while individuals aged 30 and above may continue activities through registration with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS). The Johor state government is also reviewing the need for a tailored Johor Youth Policy to enhance youth development and well-being.
During the audience, Minister Yeoh also briefed His Royal Highness on updates regarding domestic league field grants to states and the status of hybrid grass at KL Sports City.
Yeoh commended Tunku Ismail for his commitment to youth development, highlighting the Southern Volunteers initiative as an exemplary model of structured, high-impact youth engagement. She urged other states to emulate this approach to empower young people in shaping the nation’s future.