At-risk and marginalised youth are one of the main focuses of the unity govt 

by JUNE MOH 

THE government’s concern over the welfare of youths can be seen through the various initiatives launched under Belanjawan 2023 to help them reach their full potential. 

There are many programmes and initiatives being offered for youth from all walks of life, regardless of his or her socio-economic backgrounds or geographical locations. 

The National Youth Development Policy of Malaysia defines youth as people aged between 15 and 40 years. 

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said all programmes for youth were inclusive. 

“It means that the agency budgets are evenly distributed for youth from all age groups including Persons with Disabilities (PWD), different ethnicities, and backgrounds. 

“The new direction of the youth ministry is to expand the scope of youth development beyond leadership development.” 

Yeoh says the new direction of the youth ministry is to expand the scope of youth development (Yeoh’s Facebook)

Under the Belanjawan 2023, the Government has allocated RM400 million under the eBelia-Rahmah initiative, whereby a one-off e-wallet credit of RM200 will be given to youths aged 18-20 years old or students enrolled full-time at institutes of higher learning. This initiative is to encourage cashless offline purchases among youths. 

Other than that, the government has taken action to amend the Insolvency Act 1967 so bankruptcy cases can be automatically discharged in a short time. 

While waiting for this amendment to be enforced, small cases with debts of less than RM50,000 that meet the prerequisite conditions were discharged immediately from March 1, 2023. The government aims to release 130,000 people from bankruptcy status after passing the amendment. 

Socso offers salary incentive amounting to RM600 for employers who employ TVET graduates for 3 months

The government has several other initiatives. Among them is through the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) whereby an incentive of RM600 monthly for three months will be provided to employers who hire TVET graduates. This incentive involves an allocation of RM45 million. 

For youths to enhance their career prospects and earn higher wages, the government has introduced various initiatives to help them upskill. 

To encourage more youth and gig workers to undergo upskilling programmes, the government will bear up to RM2,500 for short course studies at IPTA or IPTS, and up to RM4,000 for professional certification and micro-credentials, in training fees. 

Gig workers undergoing training programmes will receive an allowance of RM300 as replacement income for 3 months

Also, gig workers undergoing training programmes will receive an allowance of RM300 as replacement income for three months. 

Government-linked companies (GLCs) will offer 35,000 job opportunities to school leavers and fresh graduates. 

Meanwhile, to reduce the burden of the B40 youth listed under the e-Kasih database, the government will bear the fee for obtaining a motorcycle licence. 

Business owner Hasni Fauziah Jaafar, 39, was relieved to learn that bankruptcy cases with debts of less than RM50,000 will be discharged immediately from Jan 3, 2023. 

“I have been waiting for this since 2012. For the past 10 years, I have been unable to manage my life well. 

“I was declared bankrupt after my partner took away the business capital amounting to RM3 million. During that period, I repaid the bank little by little but because of being declared bankrupt, I still have to bear the side effects for a long time. 

“I cannot open a bank account, take a loan, or be a member of the board of directors. There are also restrictions on exiting the country,” said Hasni from Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 

Meanwhile, Masitah Aisyah Mohamad Dooh, 19, is a student who will benefit from eBelia- Rahmah programme. 

“June 2023 will be my second time receiving the aid. The amount may be small to some, but it helps me to buy study necessities such as reference books and learn- ing aids,” said the student from Tanjung Malim, Perak. 

Naila Johar, 37, an admin executive in the private sector, was happy with the free courses offered through the National Training Week (NTW). 

“The free courses offered by NTW are highly relevant for employees from various industries. 

“In a competitive work environment, upskilling and value-adding is beneficial for employees. Besides remaining relevant to the industry, it helps increase our chances when requesting for promotions as well as bringing more value to the company,” said Naila from Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 

Meanwhile, Voravit Seer, 33, has been eagerly waiting for the repayment discount for the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans. 

“The PTPTN repayment discount is highly anticipated, especially for former students who make it a priority to settle their PTPTN debt as soon as possible. This is because PTPTN repayments are also calculated in CTOS (Credit Tip-Off Service) and will affect their financial ability score. 

“I thank the government for not giving up on providing repay- ment discount initiatives. I believe many PTPTN borrowers want to repay the loan as soon as possible, but hidden costs such as the high administrative fee make them think twice about repaying the loan immediately,” said the property specialist from Subang Jaya, Selangor. 

Sofiyya Malukut, 40, a small-scale business owner said loan assistance for businesses offered by government agencies is a good initiative in boosting the economy. 

“Some can grow from small-scale businesses to opening a factory by capitalising on government initiatives,” said the Johor Bahru resident. 

Solih Hafiz Kadrullah, 36, who has been unemployed for five years due to an accident, looked forward to finding a job with GLCs. 

“During the layoff period, there were not many opportunities suitable for me to work from home hence, I had no income. 

“I haven’t fully recovered but am able to work. So, I would like to secure a job with a GLC soon. Even if it is a contract job, it is a guarantee of a brighter future. I can start fixing financial problems and will be able to repay bank loans,” said the Terengganu man. 

With higher skills, youth would be able to find employment and earn higher salaries for jobs that are high in demand, says Dr Yeah

Sunway University Business School economist Prof Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the programmes involving TVET, micro-credentials upskilling, entrepreneurship, career opportunities in GLCs, and e-hailing licences form a key pillar of the country’s social protection system. 

“These programmes are important to raise productivity, skills, technical knowledge and employability of youths. With higher skills, they would be able to find employment as well as earn higher salaries for jobs that are high in demand. 

“With higher youth participation in the labour market, better employment income and increased supply to meet the demand for skilled workers, the country’s economic growth will be placed on a higher growth trajectory,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR), adding that there will also be fuller utilisation of manpower resources, leading to more sustainable growth. 

On debt cases of less than RM50,000, Yeah said by being discharged from bankruptcy, youths will be able to find jobs, open a bank account or own assets such as a car, enabling them to be either gainfully employed or start their business ventures. 

Those who qualify and have not benefited from these initiatives should visit belanjawan.mof.gov.my/manfaat to find out more about how to take part in the initiatives and explore many more measures that the government is offering. 

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition