BIZRIDER300 to be expanded to benefit more youths

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will increase the BIZRIDER300 initiative to benefit more jobless youths in the state.

This is because the programme had received overwhelming response with 736 applications, exceeding the target of 300 allotted by the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia).

"In light of this, the government will expand the programme so that more unemployed youths will get the opportunity," said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said this during the distribution of 300 Modenas Kriss 110MF motorcycles to youths throughout Sabah involved in the gig economy under the BIZRIDER300 initiative.

For the west coast area, 100 units of motorcycles were presented during the event at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.

As for the east coast, it would be distributed in stages in collaboration with Delivery Hero Malaysia Sdn Bhd, or Foodpanda.

Hajiji said he welcomed the initiative as it would provide immediate employment to qualified recipients who would be hired as partner riders for Foodpanda.

He said the BIZRIDER300 initiative was created because the state government was worried about the poverty and unemployment rate among youths in Sabah.

"As the future generation, the development agenda for youths needs to be implemented based on the current requirements and future challenges.

"That is why the government is consistent in providing assistance and encouragement for them to be involved in the economy through various education initiatives, human capital development and the business ecosystem," he said.

In this year's Sabah budget, the government through the state Youth and Sports Ministry had allocated RM10 million to implement a new initiative, the Skim Jaya Usahawan Belia Sabah (Syabas) programme to assist young entrepreneurs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic apart from helping them to start their own businesses.

Earlier, Hajiji commended Foodpanda for providing job opportunities to the people, registering over 5,000 partners in food delivery throughout the state.

"I welcome such efforts by Foodpanda and other companies to expand their area of services including to the rural areas," he said.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, State Federal Secretary Datuk Sarul Bahiyah Haji Abu, Sedia chief executive Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan and Delivery Hero managing director Sayantan Das.