KUALA LUMPUR: With the growing number of registered youth voters, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hopes the younger generation will equip themselves with more knowledge on parliamentary democracy.
In his speech at the 2022 National Youth Day, Ismail Sabri reminded youth on the importance of such knowledge as it is a crucial tool when performing their responsibilities as voters.
To alleviate their post-Covid-19 pandemic burdens, the Prime Minister said the government is currently drafting the National Youth Economic Empowerment Plan for a strategic direction in improving youth marketability and economic levels.
At the same time, Ismail Sabri said the Youth and Sports Ministry is planning for a National Youth Award this year comprising seven categories that focus on environmental sustainability, techno design, social media influence, charisma, entrepreneurship and disabled youth icons.
The Bera Member of Parliament also urged the younger generations to fully utilise all assistance provided by the government through the over 20 initiatives presented in the 2022 Budget.
"Firstly, the JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia and JaminKerja Job Fair which was launched on Feb 19 is based on the concept of 'job guarantee' with the commitment of producing 600,000 jobs, especially for the youth with a RM4.8 billion allocation.
"RM1.2 billion was also allocated for various initiatives for the benefit of youths including the ePemula Programme for two million youths aged 18 to 20, or full-time students studying diploma or Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia 4 (SKM4) levels, or those studying at any public and private institutes of higher learning.
"The RM300 million Transaction Without Cash Scheme, which aims to lessen the youth's burden and at the same time encourage a cashless culture, has been enjoyed by them.
"The government also provides a monthly RM900 incentive to employers who hire school leavers and graduates between the ages of 18 and 30," he said in his speech aired live on RTM1.
For the young men and women living in the city, Ismail Sabri said the government would ensure they get to own a house through the "One Family One House" aspiration, adding that Putrajaya would also empower transit-oriented homes.
He also called on young entrepreneurs or those who wish to explore the business world to make use of the RM150 million financing plan at Bank Simpanan Nasional and Agrobank.
"The government also offers the PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia initiative where every student in the B40 category studying in any higher learning institutions will receive a tablet starting this June.
"About 350,000 students will benefit from this as it would help them in their online learning.
"The government appreciates the outstanding achievements of the country's athletes on the international stage, which is on average lined by the youth, which make up 31.6 per cent of national athletes.
"Therefore, the government has agreed to continue the implementation of the Podium Programme until 2025 with a total allocation of RM249 million for four years."
With this year's National Youth Day theme "This Is Our Time", Ismail Sabri urged the younger generations to appreciate and fully use the time they have now to ensure a better future ahead.