We Help Arrested Youngsters; We Just Don't Brag: Govt

The Home and Youth Affairs Secretary, Alice Mak, has dismissed suggestions that her youth development blueprint didn't focus on reconciling with or helping young people arrested in the 2019 unrest.

She told a radio programme on Saturday that the blueprint is designed for everyone aged between 12 and 39.

"I don't think just by saying every day that we want to reconcile with and meet with the young people... is getting the blueprint done. The blueprint must be an overall plan," she said.

The minister said the government has specific measures for different groups of young people, like those of ethnic minority and previous inmates.

She said, for example, the Correctional Services Department has been helping young people to find a job after being released from custody.

"Actually we have been doing this, but we just don't think that we have to advertise about it. If we keep saying we have done this, it will be targeting or labelling those young people," she said.

The minister said officials have also met with some youngsters previously in custody during consultation sessions to prepare for the blueprint.

Mak said the government has showed its sincerity in communicating with young people and she hopes the blueprint can improve their relationship.