‘Help young entrepreneurs’

MORE FOR YOUTH: Groups ask for funding and subsidised transport, among others

KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIAN Youth Council president Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee said next year’s budget should include funds for young entrepreneurs.

He said maintaining the Youth Economic Fund (YEF) would encourage the youth in starting new businesses.

However, he said the monitoring should continue after the enterprises receive funding and that the government should appoint government-linked companies (GLCs) to mentor them.

“GLCs should be mentors to these small enterprises and not act as competitors.

“The government should do more to help the youths sustain their businesses and get GLCs to partner with them,” he said.

United Youth Movement of Malaysia (GBBM) president Low Eng Tack hoped the budget would help budding Chinese youth entrepreneurs.

He said many Chinese youth were trying to go into business, but were finding it difficult to raise money for their start-up capital.

Some form of funding or financial loan would help, he added.

“I also hope the budget would help lessen the burden of fresh graduates with first-time jobs, having to bear the cost of expensive housing, petrol, and daily necessities,” he said.

World Assembly of Youth (WAY) president Datuk Idris Haron suggested that the government should allocate funds for educational training and awareness programmes.

He said that knowledge is the first step in helping the youth understand their duties and responsibilities in society.

“Young people must learn their roles and responsibilities, to become people who build positive, constructive, and healthy lifestyles,” he added.

Former Taylor’s University AIESEC president Kavidha Natarajan hoped the budget would benefit undergraduates who still face financial problems despite receiving loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation.

She suggested that the budget look into transport and meal subsidies for students under 26, similar to that in Europe.

“The budget should not only focus on improving infrastructure such as upgrading facilities and institutions, but help undergraduates reduce their burden.”