Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called on young people to regard the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as a friend of Generation Y (Gen Y).

He said this was because the government understood, recognised and would do its best for all Gen Y in Malaysia.

"The reality is that if we want to determine the future of our country, we need to do whatever is necessary today to form our Gen Y, so that they possess a strong identity, noble values and the ability to compete and lead the country towards greater success.

"I can't accept when people say that Gen Y by nature is anti-government...instead they have potential and we must develop their potential because this is the foundation for a greater Malaysia," he said when opening the Silver Youth Fest organised by the Perak government at Taman DR Seenivasagam here today.

The event was in conjunction with the annual programme of the Wives of BN Elected Representatives.

Najib said Gen Y had two key elements, namely energy and dynamism, which should be recognised and brought to the correct channel so that they could become a productive generation and contribute to the success of the country.

"In this regard, I agree that conventional approaches can't be used and can't be accepted by Gen Y and the young generation.

"When we're talking, like what the westerners say, 'talking down to the youth', of course they will reject our views and opinions. Instead, we must feel the pulse, hearts, thoughts, tastes and aspirations of Gen Y, then we can formulate suitable policies and programmes for them.

"This is the approach that should be taken and it seems that the Perak government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Dr Zambry (Abdul Kadir) already understands," he said.

Najib said all parties needed to use platforms such as the Silver Youth Fest to show that the government was keen to develop youths based on their feelings and tastes and "not our wants".

At the event, Najib announced that a pioneer project, the youth city, would be built in Tanjung Malim, in the south of the state.

"It will emphasise on the needs of Gen Y in terms of job opportunities, recreation, housing and so on.

"The youth city is a reflection of the government's understanding and appreciation of Gen Y and its desire to do its best for this group," he said, adding that the inclusion of the young generation in today's programme was recommended by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Earlier, the prime minister joined about 1,000 people in a one-kilometre cycling event.

They were flagged off by Rosmah, who is the president of the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (BAKTI), at 10.10am.