Youth-Led Climate Action, Innovation, and Empowerment Take Centre Stage
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 – Inspire Youth Day, the second day of the highly anticipated JCI Inspire Fest 2025, was officially launched today at Sunway Velocity Mall by YBrs. Puan Azura binti Abidin, Director-General of the National Youth and Sports Department, on behalf of YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia.
The three-day festival, jointly organised by JCI Entrepreneur Metropolitan (JCI E-Metro) and Radiant, is a celebration of youth leadership, civic responsibility, and sustainable innovation — amplifying the voices and impact of young changemakers across Malaysia.
Honouring Youth Excellence Through JCI’s Signature Awards
JCI Inspire Fest provides a national platform to showcase the extraordinary contributions of recipients of JCI Malaysia’s premier awards, including:
- TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians)
- CYEA (Creative Young Entrepreneur Award)
- SDA (Sustainable Development Award)
- TOYP (Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World)
In his opening speech, Mr. Friday Chua, Organising Chairman of JCI Inspire Fest, noted the importance of bringing youth stories to the forefront:
“Despite JCI’s 110-year global legacy and over 70 years in Malaysia, many still ask: ‘What is JCI?’ This platform was created to change that—to show that the spirit of youth excellence is alive and thriving,” said Mr. Chua.
Youth Climate Leadership: i-Green Warriors Initiative
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Tan Boon Kuan, 2025 Local President of JCI E-Metro, introduced i-Green Warriors — JCI’s ambitious climate action campaign to plant 1 million trees across 10 countries within five years.
Key milestones include:
- Planting 1,000 trees in Penang in collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang
- Hosting the first international tree-planting event in Thailand with JCI Bangkok on 4 May 2025
- Launching the Sustainable Business Challenge for Youth, enabling young Malaysians to pitch ESG-aligned green business ideas
“This is more than a tree-planting project. It’s about growing a generation that acts with purpose and sustainability at its core,” said Mr. Tan.
Message from the Minister of Youth and Sports
Delivering YB Hannah Yeoh’s official message, Puan Azura Abidin applauded the festival’s alignment with the revitalised Rakan Muda programme and its holistic approach to nurturing youth leadership, innovation, and civic engagement.
The Minister also recognised the contributions of three inspiring women entrepreneurs:
- Ms. Lunarcia Loh of SATEERA, for her work in community wellness and sustainable development
- Ms. Kate Yong of MAE Global and Ms. Amanda Loh of MUSE Collection, for driving women-led initiatives and inclusive empowerment
“When youth initiatives are supported by community, corporate, and media partners, the ripple effect is powerful,” said the Minister. “This is exactly the type of collaboration Malaysia needs for a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
New Youth-Driven Podcast Launched: “Outstanding Person Inspiring Hub”
The event also marked the official launch of the “Outstanding Person Inspiring Hub” Podcast, produced by Mins Studio in collaboration with JCI Kuala Lumpur. The podcast will feature real stories of youth entrepreneurship and social impact, beginning with the newly released TOYM anthem, composed by JinV Wong, 2024 TOYM Honoree for Cultural Achievement.
Youth Innovation on Display
To cap off the event, Puan Azura toured the JCI Award Winners’ Product & Services Showcase, engaging with young entrepreneurs and exploring innovative showcases by:
CTOS, SBH Financial Consultancy, ECO Foodsoft, SBK Coffee, VANZO, SATEERA, EAS Academy, MAE Global, Rurutiki, and Muse Collection.
Each exhibit reflected the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and economic resilience of Malaysia’s next generation of leaders.
