TUARAN: The unemployment rate among youths aged between 15 and 40 nationwide has dropped to 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to 5.9 per cent in the same period last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the percentage showed that the number of unemployed persons in the first quarter of this year was 585,000, down from 627,000 people in the same period last year.
"This number is expected to continue to decline if we take note of the various initiatives and programmes available for youths," he said when launching the 2022 National Youth Day at Padang Pekan Tuaran here today.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, and Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid.
Themed 'Ini Masa Kita' (This is Our Time), the 2022 National Youth Day celebration is being held for three days starting yesterday.
To ensure that the youth unemployment rate continues to drop, Ismail Sabri said the government, among others, through strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries and the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines, would focus more on urban farming.
He said the effort was a strategy to increase youth involvement in the agro-food sector as well as the Young Agropreneur programme.
The Prime Minister said a total of 8,000 young entrepreneurs had received assistance comprising grants, funding, short-term courses, as well as technical and financial advisory services.
"The agro-food sector can provide a lucrative income if it is well managed using the latest technology. It can guarantee the quality of production that can be exported to help increase national income.
"Youth involvement in the agro-food sector will be strengthened through the organising of the Agro Job Fair programme at MAHA (Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism Expo) 2022 next month which offers 5,000 job opportunities by participating companies. I call on interested graduates and youths to seize these job opportunities," he said.
Ismail Sabri said 21.4 per cent or seven million of the 32.7 million Malaysians were youths aged between 15 and 30, while those aged between 15 and 40 have reached almost 15 million.
He said it was a significant figure that influenced every national development plan.
Therefore, the aspirations and views of the youths were also crucial for the government to formulate a direction for the country's future, he added,
"What is planned today, will be inherited by the next generation of the Keluarga Malaysia youths because 'youths are the catalyst for the country's future revolution'," he said.
As of June 30, the Prime Minister said a total of 9,766 youth organisations had been registered under the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act 2007 (Amendment 2019), and of the total, 953 were registered in Sabah, including 33 in Tuaran.
He said under the 12th Malaysia Plan, all ministries and agencies were providing various programmes involving youths so that they could continue to play a role in the country's development.
The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) is carrying out the Bank Rakyat UNIpreneur Programme which involves 500 students from every 25 public and private universities starting this month, said Ismail Sabri.
He said the Young Entrepreneurship Engagement Talent programme had produced franchise or pre-franchise entrepreneurs under KUSKOP, and so far, it had received 26 applications for funding amounting to RM4.31 million.
The Malaysia Techlympics Programme by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is also expected to attract the participation of one million young people in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), he said.
At the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced an allocation of RM1 million to the Malaysian Youth Council for the implementation of various youth development programmes throughout the country.
To ensure that the voices of the youths continue to be heard in the development of the country, he said a senator will be appointed to represent the youths in the Dewan Negara.
"Your voices will be heard as you are the future of the country," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Jul 16 2022
The unemployment rate among youths aged between 15 and 40 nationwide has dropped to 5.3 pct in the first quarter of this year compared to 5.9 pct in the same period last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. - BERNAMA
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.