The minister, Mohd Redzuan Yusof, said entrepreneurs should not worry about getting involved in development programmes organised by the ministry or related agencies.

He said the change of age limit would also not affect plans that had been made for entrepreneur development programmes involving youths.

Last week, the Dewan Rakyat approved an amendment to the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act, in which the age limit of youth was lowered from 40 to 30. The amendment must be approved by the Dewan Negara and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before it becomes law.

Redzuan said that an age limit of 30 or 35 would deny entrepreneurs opportunities for training. “From the ministry’s perspective, the age limit of 30 is based on the right to vote rather than their participation in any entrepreneur training,” he told reporters after presenting prizes at an entrepreneurship competition for college students.