The recent One Million Youth Gathering in Putrajaya cost RM27 million to organise, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.

The cost included RM1.5 million allocated for this year's National Youth Day, with no extra funds from the government.

one million youth gathering in putrajaya on stage crowd 2 "The ministry used whatever resources available, without any additional allocations, to make the million youths gathering a success," he told Parliament today.

"The total cost came to RM27 million, but a large portion of it was sponsorship from private parties," said Ahmad Shabery.

Less than 20,000 youths spent three days from May 27-29 in the nation's administrative capital to take part in the event, organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry as part of the National Youth Day celebrations.

Question from Hadi Awang

Ahmad Shabery was responding to a supplementary question from the Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang of PAS, who asked for the motive of the rally held last month and whether the event had contributed in creating youths who were willing to come to the people's aid in pressing situations.

one million youth gathering in putrajaya on stage crowd 3 Md Sirat Abu (BN-Bukit Katil) had asked the original question on how much the event had cost and if those gathered were thankful to the government for their livelihood and the development they enjoyed in the country.

"It is a recognition of the government's highest contribution in the development of youths in various fields.

"The motive and objective of the gathering was to create a platform for the youth to showcase their talents, creativity and innovativeness through the implementation of over 200 programmes and activities," said Shabery.

The minister added that there were also employment opportunities at a job fair organised during the event, which offered youths career opportunities in the armed forces, police, fire fighting services and opportunities in the entrepreneurship.